P20 is a cold work plastic mold steel with good polishability and etchability. It has high mechanical properties in toughness and pressure resistance.
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Imperial and Metric Steel Sizes for Sale
P20 Tool Steel Standard values
Working hardness:
32 HRC - 50 HRC
Delivery condition:
max. 225HB
Chemical composition in %
0.350000
0.350.450000
0.450.200000
0.20.400000
0.41.300000
1.31.600000
1.60.000000
00.035000
0.0350.000000
00.035000
0.0351.800000
1.82.100000
2.10.150000
0.150.250000
0.25P20 Tool Steel Technical Data
P20 Tool Steel Technical Properties
Cold work steel and plastic mold steel (here annealed version). Good polishability and etchability. High through-hardenability and uniform component strength.
P20 Tool Steel Applications
mechanical engineering, jigs, base plates, assembling parts, molding frames, plastic molds, plastic processing, injection molds, die casting molds, hydroforming tools, recipient sleeves, intermediate sleeves, folding bars, tool holders, extrusion presses, tube presses, die holders, die insert
P20 General Information
P20 is delivered in the annealed condition and can be hardened as explained below. P20 PH is delivered in the pre hardened condition and can be used in its delivered condition. In general P20 as well as P20 PH are mainly used for plastic molds, die casts and tools but is also suitable for applications such as rails and shafts. The steel grades have good weldability and can be polished to an excellent finish, for applications which require a high surface hardness P20 and P20 PH can be case hardened or nitrated.
Heat treatment
Annealing
Heat the material uniformly to a temperature of 1310-1364°F (710-740°C), then cool in the furnace.
Stress relieving
P20 PH should be stress relieved after machining and occasionally during service. Heat the work piece uniformly to 1022-1112°F (550-600°C) and hold for 1 hour per inch (25.4 mm) of thickness and cool in the furnace.
Hardening
To harden P20 or re-harden P20 PH (when necessary), heat uniformly to a temperature of 1544-1598°F (840-870°C), soak for 30 minutes for the first inch (25.4 mm) and any additional inch of thickness for 15 minutes.
Quenching media
- Oil
- Saltbath
Tempering
Immediately after quenching the work pieces should be tempered. The tempering temperature should be held for a minimum of 2 hours or 1 hour per inch (25.4 mm) of thickness and then cool in air to room temperature.
For our tempering diagram, please click here.
Dimensional changes
When this steel grade is quenched in oil from a hardening temperature of 1550°F (843°C) this material normally expands by 0.003inch/inch (0.0762mm/mm). However dimensional changes during heat treatment are largely impacted by size and shape of the parts. To minimize dimensional changes, it is important to adhere to good heat treatment practices.
Cold working
P20 (annealed) can be readily cold worked using regular tooling methods.
Machinability
Forging
P20/P20 PH can be forged within a temperature range of 1650-2000°F (899-1093°C). Do not forge below a temperature of 1600°F (871°C).
Welding
P20/P20 PH can be welded using all conventional methods. Preheat the material to a temperature of 600-700°F (316-371°C). Do not drop the welding temperature below 600°F (316°C). Fillers should be matched to the hardness of the base metal. Cool slowly to 100-150°F, then post heat to a temperature of 1000°F (538°C) for one hour per inch (25.4 mm) per weld depth and do not exceed 1050°F (566°C) as this will result in loosing hardness. Double temper if possible.
Polishing
P20 PH can be polished to a high finish when the correct procedures are applied. To avoid an orange peel effect and pitting care should be taken not to over polish this material.
Surface treatment
P20/P20 PH can be nitrided to add a hard and abrasion resistant surface to the depth of 1/16 inch (0.40 mm).
Disclaimer
The data shown here has been compiled with the greatest diligence and is regularly updated with regard to the correctness and completeness of its content. The content is indicative only and should not be taken as a warranty of specific properties of the product described or a warranty of suitability for a particular purpose. All information presented is given in good faith and no liability will be accepted for actions taken by third parties in reliance on this information. ABRAMS Industries reserves the right to change or amend the information given here in full or parts without prior notice.