2311 MOLD STEEL is a hardened CrMnMo-alloyed tool steel for the construction of plastic molds with superior surface requirements on molds. It is characterized by excellent polishability, photoetchability, spark erosion behaviour and dimensional stability as well as good machinability.

Product description

Designation and range of application

2311 MOLD STEEL is a modified version of 1.2311, respectively 40CMD8 according to NF A 35590, 40CrMnNiMo8-6-4 according to DIN EN ISO 4957 and a modified version of P20 according to ASTM A681.

2311 MOLD STEEL is available as plate with cut edges (sheared, flame cut or water jet cut) in the following dimensions:

(1) Widths < 1250 mm (49 in) have to be ordered with an even number of plates

Other dimensions available upon request.

Production

The 2311 MOLD STEEL production route is designed to achieve the excellent properties of this mold steel type with superior surface requirements. 2311 MOLD STEEL is characterized by high dimensional stability. The 2311 MOLD STEEL production route provides excellent polishability, photoetchability and spark erosion properties. Therefore 2311 MOLD STEEL is particularly suitable for molds with superior surface requirements if suitable manufacturing processes are employed.

The good sulfidic and oxidic cleanliness and the modification of the few remaining inclusions by the calcium treatment lead to good machinability and minimize the tool wear. These properties can only be achieved by the combination of the following 2311 MOLD STEEL-production steps:

• desulphurization to S ≤ 0.002% for high sulfidic cleanliness
• chemical composition analysis in dependence of plate thickness
• vacuum degassing
• argon stirring for high sulfidic and oxidic cleanliness
• calcium treatment for inclusion shape control
• special casting conditions to assure the high cleanliness and homogeneity
• high Shape Factor Rolling (high thickness reduction) to realize a closely packed structure
• appropriate heat treatment parameters according to analysis and dimensions to assure homogeneous hardness distribution over the plate and to minimize residual stresses

Chemical composition

For the ladle analysis the following limiting values in % are applicable

(1) alloyed depending on dimensions

Delivery condition

2311 MOLD STEEL is supplied in the hardened (air hardened + tempered) condition.

Mechanical and physical properties in the delivery condition

Hardness

Unless otherwise agreed the hardness at the surface in the delivery condition is 280 - 325 HBW.

According to EN ISO 18265, table B2, this corresponds to a tensile strength of approximately 890 -1030 MPa (128 - 148 ksi).

Testing

• Heat analysis
• Dimension control
• Surface inspection
• Hardness

The hardness (HBW) is tested on surface of each rolled mother plate.

• Ultrasonic testing

Unless otherwise agreed, 100 % ultrasonic testing is performed on each plate in accordance with EN 10160. As admissible limit applies quality class 4 in table 5 of EN 10228-3.

Upon request, an ultrasonic testing in accordance with ASTM A 578, Level C supplementary requirements S1 and S9 is possible. In this case the desired testing standard has to be indicated on the order.

Unless otherwise agreed, the results are documented in an inspection certificate 3.1 in accordance with EN 10204.

Identification of plates

Unless otherwise agreed the marking is carried out via steel stamps with at least the following

information:

• steel grade (2311 MOLD STEEL)
• heat number
• number of mother plate and individual plate
• the manufacturer’s symbol
• inspector’s sign

Processing

Heat treatment

2311 MOLD STEEL is delivered in the hardened condition; therefore further heat treatment is generally not necessary. This avoids the risks and costs involved by the hardening and tempering of a mold after processing. Should a heat treatment become necessary, the following data are recommended:

General technical delivery requirements

Unless otherwise agreed, the general technical delivery requirements in accordance with EN 10021 apply.

Tolerances

Unless otherwise agreed, tolerances are in accordance with EN 10029 with the following restrictions:

Unless otherwise agreed, short lengths ≥2 m (79 in) are part of the delivery.

Surface quality

Unless otherwise agreed, the specifications will be in accordance with EN 10163-2 class A, subclass 3. Shot blasting of upper and lower surface of the plate and shop priming are possible on request.

General note

If special requirements, which are not listed in this specification, are to be met by the steel due to its intended use or processing, these requirements are to be agreed before placing the order.

Production process

Suzhou Vanforge Metals Co., Ltd. was set up in April 1999 with a registered capital of 230 million Yuan in Zhangjiagang Bonded Area in Jiangsu Province of China. It has developed to be an important R&D and manufacture enterprise of high performance stainless steels and nickel alloys.

Vanforge is a high-tech enterprise with 70 national patents, it has its own Special Alloy Research Center, academician workstation and post doctorate innovation practice base. Vanforge has been certificated the national laboratory accreditation of ISO/IEC 17025, and ISO9001, ISO14001, OHSAS18001, API Q1, IATF16949, GB/T23331, TUV, CCS, DNV, LR, ABS.

Vanforge has the international advanced special smelting capacity, including the German ALD 6t vacuum induction furnace, 6t consumable electrode vacuum furnace, 18t drawing-ingot protective atmosphere electroslag furnace and 1t vacuum induction furnace, 3t electroslag furnace, 18t drawing-hollow ingot electroslag furnace, and 2# Purification Furnace/1# Purification Furnace/LF/AOD/VOD refining production line, 25MN/8MN fast forging machine, 450/320 rolling mill, etc.

The current annual production capacity of Vanforge is 120,000 tons, and the main products are high-grade special alloy materials, including high temperature alloy, corrosion resistant alloy, precision alloy, ultra high strength steel, special stainless steel, high-grade tool and mould steel, steam turbine blades steel, gas turbine steel, ultra-supercritical materials, etc., which are widely used in aviation, aerospace, ship, petrochemical, nuclear power, electronics, steam turbine, high-speed rail, machinery manufacturing, and other fields; besides, we can organize the research and development and production of new materials according to customer demand for new materials. Vanforge has now become a qualified supplier of domestic high-end equipment manufacturing enterprises, such as CASIC, CGN, CRRC, CFHI, Wujin Stainless, Zhejiang Jiuli Hi-Tech Metals Co., Ltd., Xinxing Ductile Iron Pipe Co., Ltd., etc.

We always adhere to the concept of quality first, integrity based, scientific and technological innovation, making progress, and wholeheartedly serving customer and devote ourselves to becoming the well-known supplier of key basic materials of world’s high-end equipment manufacturing industry.

We supply following products in the forms of wires, bars, plates

(Super) austenitic stainless steels

(Super) duplex stainless steels

(Supper) Ferritic stainless steels

Precipitation hardening stainless steels

Incoloy alloys

Inconel alloys

Monel alloys

Hastelloy alloys

As well as following steel products

Gear steels

Bearing steels

Spring steels

Drilling tool steels

Free-cutting steels

Anchor steels, mooring chain steels

Mining chain steels

Die steels, Mold steels, tool steels

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Petroleum storage tank steels