1.2316 Steel Properties: Full Performance Guide

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Physical properties define engineering limits for mold design.Density: ~7.7 g/cm³, consistent with most steel grades for accurate mold weight calculation.Thermal conductivity: ~25 W/(m·K) at 100°C. Slightly lower than H13 (~28 W/(m·K)) yet much higher than 304 stainless steel (~16 W/(m·K)), delivering faster cooling efficiency for injection molds.Coefficient of thermal expansion: ~10.5×10⁻⁶/°C (20–200°C), a critical value for dimensional tolerance design.Magnetism: Martensitic structure makes 1.2316 magnetic, an easy method to distinguish it from non-magnetic austenitic stainless steel like 304.Resistivity: ~0.55 μΩ·m, used to adjust discharge parameters for EDM processing.

 

 

Hardness is the most widely focused metric for mold steel.Pre-hardened DIN 1.2316: Standard hardness 28–34 HRC, equivalent to tensile strength 900–1100 MPa, suitable for most injection molding applications.Quenched + low-temperature tempered state: 40–48 HRC, tensile strength 1300–1600 MPa for high-wear production requirements.Charpy V-notch impact toughness: 20–30 J, moderate among mold steels. Outperforms cold work steel D2 (10–15 J) but inferior to non-stainless P20 (30–50 J).Elastic modulus: ~210 GPa, matching general steel specifications.Yield strength: 700–900 MPa for pre-hardened stock, 1100–1400 MPa for quenched stock.Design concept of 1.2316 material: Balanced performance of sufficient hardness, reliable toughness and stable corrosion resistance instead of extreme single-index performance, delivering optimal engineering balance.

 

 

Processing performance directly affects mold factory operation efficiency.Cutting machinability: At 28–34 HRC pre-hardened state, machinability reaches 70–80% of P20. TiAlN coated carbide cutters are recommended with cutting speed 80–120 m/min.EDM performance: Excellent processability. A 0.01–0.03 mm recast white layer forms after EDM, requiring 200°C × 2h stress relief tempering.Wire EDM performance: Compatible with WEDM, yet wire-cut surfaces tend to form microcracks; post-cut polishing or stress relief treatment is suggested.Weldability: Average for martensitic stainless steel. E309Mo welding electrodes are recommended. Preheat workpieces to 150–200°C before welding, followed by slow cooling and stress relief treatment.Polishability: Standard LF+VD refined 1.2316 achieves surface roughness Ra 0.05–0.10 μm; ESR grade reaches Ra 0.02–0.05 μm.Heat treatment performance: Quench at 1030–1050°C with oil or gas cooling. Select tempering temperature between 200–600°C based on target hardness; avoid the 400–500°C temper brittleness zone.