Plastic mold steels - Heat treatable steels and precipitation hardening steels

Through-hardenability and edge stability are achieved by alloying with Chromium, Manganese and Molybdenum. Steels with Nickel, Copper and Aluminium are age-hardenable and show favorable dimensional stability and weldability. These steels are usually supplied in the as heat-treated condition to approx. 30 to 44 HRC. Omission of further heat treatments improves cost-effectiveness and logistics in toolmaking.