Choosing the right steel grade for your mold application
| Grade | Type | Hardness | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| P20 | Pre-hardened | 28-32 HRC | General injection molds |
| H13 | Hot work | 48-52 HRC | Die casting, forging dies |
| NAK80 | Pre-hardened | 37-43 HRC | Textured molds, optical parts |
| S136 | Stainless | 48-52 HRC | Medical molds, corrosive plastics |
| D2 | Cold work | 58-62 HRC | Stamping dies |
Consider: production volume, plastic material corrosiveness, surface finish requirements, cooling efficiency, and cost.