As a supplier of Pre Hardened Mold Steel, I often get asked about the typical sizes available in the market. Pre hardened mold steel is a crucial material in the manufacturing industry, widely used for making molds due to its excellent mechanical properties and pre - treated hardness, which saves time and cost in the mold - making process. In this blog, I'll delve into the common sizes of pre hardened mold steel and provide insights based on my years of experience in the industry.
Plate Sizes
One of the most common forms of pre hardened mold steel is the plate. Plates are available in a wide range of sizes to meet different industrial needs.
Thickness
The thickness of pre hardened mold steel plates can vary significantly. For light - duty applications, such as small - scale plastic injection molds or simple stamping dies, plates with a thickness of around 10 - 20 mm are often used. These thinner plates are more flexible and can be easily machined into the desired shape.
For medium - duty applications, plate thicknesses typically range from 20 - 50 mm. This thickness provides a good balance between strength and machinability. Many medium - sized automotive parts molds or consumer product molds use plates in this thickness range.
In heavy - duty applications, such as large - scale forging dies or high - pressure injection molds, plate thicknesses can exceed 50 mm. Some specialized applications may even require plates with a thickness of up to 200 mm or more. These thick plates can withstand high pressures and stresses during the molding process.
Width and Length
The width and length of pre hardened mold steel plates also come in various standard sizes. Common widths range from 100 mm to 1500 mm, while lengths can be anywhere from 200 mm to 6000 mm. Larger plates are often used for making large - sized molds, such as those for household appliances or large automotive body parts. Smaller plates are more suitable for small - scale production or prototyping.
Block Sizes
Pre hardened mold steel blocks are another popular form. Blocks are often used when a more precise and compact mold is required.
Dimensions
Block sizes can vary depending on the application. For small - sized molds, such as those for jewelry or electronic components, blocks with dimensions of around 50x50x50 mm to 100x100x100 mm are commonly used. These small blocks are easy to handle and machine into detailed shapes.
Medium - sized blocks, with dimensions ranging from 100x100x100 mm to 300x300x300 mm, are suitable for a wide range of applications, including molds for small - to - medium - sized plastic parts or die - casting molds for small metal components.
Large blocks, with dimensions exceeding 300x300x300 mm, are used for large - scale molds, such as those for industrial machinery parts or large - sized plastic containers.
Round Bar Sizes
Round bars of pre hardened mold steel are used in applications where a circular or cylindrical shape is required, such as for making cores or pins in molds.
Diameter
The diameter of round bars can range from a few millimeters to several hundred millimeters. For small - sized pins or cores, round bars with diameters of 3 - 10 mm are commonly used. These small - diameter bars are used in precision molds, such as those for micro - electronic components.
Medium - diameter round bars, with diameters ranging from 10 - 50 mm, are used for a variety of applications, including making larger cores or support pins in molds.
Large - diameter round bars, with diameters exceeding 50 mm, are used in heavy - duty applications, such as making large - sized cores for large - scale injection molds or forging dies.
Length
The length of round bars also varies. Common lengths range from 100 mm to 6000 mm. Longer bars are often used when a continuous piece of material is required for a particular mold component.
Common Grades and Their Size Availability
Different grades of pre hardened mold steel may have specific size availability based on their properties and applications.
W350 Steel
W350 Steel is a popular grade of pre hardened mold steel known for its high hardness and good machinability. It is available in a wide range of plate, block, and round bar sizes. Plates can be found in thicknesses from 10 mm to 150 mm, widths from 200 mm to 1200 mm, and lengths from 500 mm to 4000 mm. Blocks are available in various dimensions, with the most common ones ranging from 50x50x50 mm to 200x200x200 mm. Round bars come in diameters from 5 mm to 100 mm and lengths from 200 mm to 3000 mm.
AISI H13 Steel
AISI H13 Steel is widely used in the die - casting and forging industries due to its excellent heat resistance and toughness. It is available in a comprehensive range of sizes. Plates can have thicknesses from 20 mm to 200 mm, widths from 300 mm to 1500 mm, and lengths from 1000 mm to 6000 mm. Blocks are available in dimensions from 100x100x100 mm to 300x300x300 mm. Round bars come in diameters from 10 mm to 200 mm and lengths from 300 mm to 5000 mm.
DIN 1.2738
DIN 1.2738 is a well - known grade for plastic injection molds. It is available in a variety of sizes. Plates can be found in thicknesses from 10 mm to 100 mm, widths from 200 mm to 1000 mm, and lengths from 500 mm to 3000 mm. Blocks are available in dimensions from 50x50x50 mm to 150x150x150 mm. Round bars come in diameters from 5 mm to 80 mm and lengths from 200 mm to 2500 mm.
Custom Sizes
In addition to the standard sizes, we also offer custom - sized pre hardened mold steel. Many customers have unique requirements for their molds, and we understand the importance of providing tailored solutions. Our advanced manufacturing facilities and experienced team allow us to produce pre hardened mold steel in custom thicknesses, widths, lengths, and shapes. Whether you need a special - sized plate for a large - scale project or a unique - shaped block for a complex mold design, we can work with you to meet your specific needs.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the typical sizes of pre hardened mold steel are diverse, including plates, blocks, and round bars in various thicknesses, widths, lengths, and diameters. Different grades of pre hardened mold steel, such as W350 Steel, AISI H13 Steel, and DIN 1.2738, have their own size availability based on their properties and applications. Whether you are in the plastic injection molding, die - casting, or forging industry, there is a suitable size of pre hardened mold steel for your needs.
If you are in the market for pre hardened mold steel, we invite you to contact us for more information. Our team of experts can help you select the right grade and size of pre hardened mold steel for your specific application. We are committed to providing high - quality products and excellent customer service. Let's start a conversation and explore how we can meet your pre hardened mold steel requirements.
References
- "Mold Steel Handbook" by Industry Experts
- Technical Data Sheets of W350 Steel, AISI H13 Steel, and DIN 1.2738
- Industry Reports on Pre Hardened Mold Steel Market Trends
