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P20 Tool Steel: The Definitive Guide to P20 Material Price in India, Material Specification, and Chemical Composition

Welcome to the ultimate resource for P20 tool steel (DIN 1.2311 Steel/DIN 1.2312 Steel/DIN 1.2738 Steel) in India. If you are searching for a reliable, high-performance material for your plastic molds, die casting dies, or heavy-duty tooling, you have arrived at the right place. This guide delves deep into everything you need to know about P20 steel (DIN 1.2311 Steel/DIN 1.2312 Steel/DIN 1.2738 Steel), from its core properties to its market dynamics.

At Milano Special Steel, we are not just a supplier; we are India’s largest supplier and top importer of premium quality tool steel. We understand that your projects demand precision, durability, and cost-efficiency. That is why we provide this in-depth analysis to help you make an informed decision, covering the crucial aspects of P20 material price, P20 material specification, and P20 material composition.

As a leading manufacturer and supplier in India with over 50 years of unparalleled experience, we are committed to delivering excellence. Whether you need P20 steel plates, round bars, or custom-cut pieces, our extensive inventory and pan-India distribution network ensure you get the best quality material at the best price, exactly when you need it.

Understanding P20 Tool Steel: What Makes It an Industry Staple?

P20 tool steel is a versatile, low-carbon mold steel that belongs to the chromium-molybdenum tool steel family. Standardized by the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI), the P-type group of steels is renowned for its exceptional balance of properties. The “P” in its name stands for “Plastic Mold,” which is its primary application, but its utility extends far beyond.

The most significant advantage of P20 steel is that it is typically supplied in a pre-hardened condition, usually around 28-32 HRC (Hardness Rockwell C). This pre-hardening eliminates the need for risky and time-consuming heat treatment after machining the final mold or die, saving significant time and cost for manufacturers. This unique characteristic makes it the go-to choice for applications requiring high toughness, good machinability, and excellent polishability.

Key Characteristics at a Glance:

Excellent Machinability: Even in its pre-hardened state, P20 can be easily machined.
High Polishability: Capable of achieving a super-fine, high-gloss finish, essential for high gloss plastic components and products.
Uniform Hardness: Possesses consistent hardness throughout the cross-section, even in large blocks.
Good Toughness: Offers superior resistance to chipping and cracking under operational stress.
Weldability: Can be effectively welded, allowing for easy repair and modification of molds.

At Milano Special Steel, we offer P20 and its equivalent steel grades, ensuring you receive a product with a perfect chemical composition tailored for superior performance in aluminum die casting, pressure die casting, and plastic mold steel applications.

P20 Material Price in India: Factors Influencing Cost

One of the most frequent queries we receive is regarding the price of the P20 material. As a direct importer and one of the largest stockists in India, Milano Special Steel is uniquely positioned to offer the most competitive pricing. However, it’s essential to understand that the price is not static; several market and logistical factors influence it.

Key Factors Determining P20 Steel Price/P20 Material Price:

Global Raw Material Costs: The price of alloying elements like Chromium (Cr), Molybdenum (Mo), and high-quality iron ore directly impacts the production cost and, consequently, the final price.
Supply Chain and Import Duties: As a top importer, we navigate complex global supply chains. Fluctuations in shipping costs, currency exchange rates, and government import duties can affect the landed cost in India.
Grade and Quality (Variants): Standard P20 (AISI P20 / DIN 1.2311) is the baseline. Higher-performance variants like P20+S (for enhanced machinability) or P20+Ni (for improved through-hardening and polishability) command a premium price.
Form and Size: The price per kilogram can vary between high-quality plates and round shapes. Furthermore, custom-cut pieces may have a different pricing structure compared to standard-sized blocks due to processing costs.
Quantity (Wholesale vs. Retail): We cater to both wholesale and retail customers. As expected, bulk orders for large-scale production runs will have a more favorable price per unit compared to smaller, single-piece orders.
Supplier Scale: Our position as the largest supplier allows us to leverage economies of scale in purchasing and logistics, a benefit we pass on to our customers through the best possible P20 Material Price.

How to Get the Best P20 Material Price from Milano Special Steel

To get the most accurate and up-to-date P20 material price, we encourage you to contact our expert sales team directly. By providing your specific requirements—dimensions, quantity, and grade—we can offer a precise, no-obligation quote tailored to your project. Our commitment is to provide transparent pricing without compromising on the premium quality that our name represents.

P20 Tool Steel: The Definitive Guide to Price, Material Specification, and Chemical

Detailed P20 Material Specification: A Technical Deep Dive

The performance of a tool is dictated by its material properties. The P20 material specification outlines the mechanical and physical characteristics that make it suitable for demanding industrial applications. At Milano Special Steel, we ensure every batch of P20 steel meets or exceeds these stringent industry standards.

P20 Tool Steel, The Definitive Guide to P20 Material Price in India, Material Specification, and Chemical Composition

Mechanical Properties of P20 Steel

The following table details the typical mechanical properties of P20 tool steel in its pre-hardened state (approx. 300 HB / 32 HRC).

Property	Typical Value	Significance for Applications
Hardness (Supplied)	28-34 HRC (270-320 BHN)	Ideal balance for good machinability and wear resistance. Eliminates post-machining heat treatment.
Tensile Strength	965 – 1030 MPa	Indicates the material’s ability to resist being pulled apart, crucial for withstanding clamping forces in molds.
Yield Strength	825 – 930 MPa	The point at which the steel begins to deform permanently. A high value ensures the mold retains its shape.
Toughness (Charpy Impact)	~20 J	Demonstrates excellent resistance to fracture from sudden impacts, preventing chipping of mold edges.
Modulus of Elasticity	205 GPa	Measures the material’s stiffness, ensuring minimal deflection under high injection pressures.
Machinability	Excellent (~80% of W1 steel)	Allows for complex mold cavities to be created efficiently and with a superior surface finish.

Physical Properties

Property	Typical Value
Density	7.85 g/cm³
Thermal Conductivity	29.0 W/m.K
Coefficient of Thermal Expansion	12.8 µm/m°C (at 20-425°C)

Heat Treatment Specifications

While P20 Steel is used in its pre-hardened state, it can be further heat-treated for specific applications requiring higher hardness.

Hardening: Heat to 830-870°C, followed by oil quenching. This can achieve a hardness of up to 52 HRC.
Tempering: After hardening, tempering at appropriate temperatures (e.g., 500-600°C) is crucial to relieve stress and achieve the desired final hardness and toughness.
Nitriding: For extreme surface wear resistance, P20 can be gas or liquid nitrided. The nitriding process creates a very hard surface case (650-700 HV) without distorting the core of the tool.

P20 Material Chemical Composition: The Foundation of Performance

The precise balance of alloying elements in the P20 material composition is what defines its unique properties. Milano Special Steel guarantees a perfect chemical composition in every product, verified through rigorous testing, to ensure consistent and reliable performance.

Here is a breakdown of the typical chemical composition of standard AISI P20 tool steel (equivalent to DIN 1.2311).

Element	Symbol	Percentage (%)	Role and Contribution
Carbon	C	0.28 – 0.40	The primary hardening element. Its moderate level provides a good balance of hardness and toughness.
Chromium	Cr	1.40 – 2.00	Key to hardenability, ensuring uniform hardness through thicker sections. It also adds to wear resistance and polishability.
Molybdenum	Mo	0.30 – 0.55	Significantly increases toughness and high-temperature strength. It works with chromium to ensure deep hardening.
Manganese	Mn	0.60 – 1.00	Acts as a deoxidizer during steelmaking. It also contributes to strength and hardenability.
Silicon	Si	0.20 – 0.80	Another deoxidizing agent that improves the steel’s overall soundness and strength.
Sulphur	S	≤ 0.03	Kept to a minimum in standard P20 to ensure high polishability and toughness.
Phosphorus	P	≤ 0.03	An impurity that is strictly controlled to prevent brittleness.

Common P20 Steel Variants and Their Compositions

To meet specialized demands, several variants of P20 exist:

P20+S Steel (DIN 1.2312 Steel): This grade has a higher Sulphur content (typically 0.05-0.10%). The added Sulphur forms manganese sulphides, which act as chip breakers during machining. This significantly improves machinability but comes at the cost of slightly reduced polishability and toughness.
P20+Ni Steel (DIN 1.2738 Steel): This premium grade includes an addition of Nickel (approx. 1.00%). Nickel enhances through-hardenability, making it ideal for very large-sized Plastic molds. It also dramatically improves the steel’s ability to achieve a flawless, mirror-like polish, making it the top choice for optical components and high-end automotive parts.

At Milano Special Steel, we offer a comprehensive selection of premium steel equivalent steel grades, including these P20 variants, to perfectly match your application’s requirements.

Key Applications: Where P20 Steel Excels

The unique blend of pre-hardened strength, machinability, and polishability makes P20 a workhorse material across several major industries.

Plastic Injection Molds: This is the primary application. P20 is used for cavities and cores for molding common thermoplastics like PE, PP, and ABS. Its high polishability is essential for creating high-gloss plastic components and products for consumer electronics, household appliances, and automotive interiors.
Pressure Die Casting & Aluminum Die Casting: P20 is an excellent performance choice for dies used in casting low-melting-point metals like zinc, lead, and aluminum alloys. Its toughness resists the thermal shock and erosion associated with the pressure die casting process.
Sheet Metal Cutting and Forming Tools: While not a primary cutting steel, P20 is extensively used for bolsters, die holders, and support tooling in sheet metal cutting tool assemblies. It is also used for certain forming dies where high wear resistance is not the primary concern.
Automotive Industry: A major consumer of P20 steel for manufacturing large molds for dashboards, bumpers, door panels, and light covers.
Forging Industries: Used for die holders and support tooling in forging operations, where its toughness and resistance to deformation are critical.
Other Applications: Includes large machine components, shafts, rails, and holders that require high tensile strength and toughness.

Why Choose Milano Special Steel? Your Premier Partner for P20 Steel in India

Choosing a supplier is as critical as choosing the right material. With over five decades of dedicated service, Milano Special Steel has established itself as the undisputed leader in the special steel market.

Established in 1972: Over 50 Years of Industry Experience

Our half-century legacy is built on a foundation of trust, expertise, and an unwavering commitment to quality. We have witnessed the evolution of India’s industrial landscape and have consistently adapted to meet its growing demands.

India’s Largest Supplier and Top Importer

Our status as the largest supplier and importer gives us unparalleled access to the world’s best steel mills. This allows us to procure premium quality tool steel at the best possible rates, a benefit we directly pass on to our customers.

Comprehensive Inventory and Customization

We maintain a vast stock of P20 steel in high-quality plates and round shapes of various sizes. We specialize in providing custom solutions and can supply cut pieces in custom sizes based on your specific drawings and requirements, minimizing your waste and processing time.

Unbeatable Price and Unmatched Quality

We don’t believe in compromise. Our business model is optimized to provide the best price on the market without sacrificing the material’s integrity. Our guarantee of perfect chemical composition and superior mechanical properties backs every piece of steel.

Pan-India Distribution Network: We Deliver Everywhere

Our extensive distribution network ensures timely delivery across India. Our primary operational hubs are strategically located in Gurugram, Kundli, Sonipat, Manesar, Bawal, Bhiwadi, and Dharuhera. From these hubs, we serve every corner of the nation.

Our services extend to all states and union territories, including:

Andhra Pradesh
Arunachal Pradesh
Assam
Bihar
Chhattisgarh
Goa
Gujarat
Haryana
Himachal Pradesh
Jharkhand
Karnataka
Kerala
Madhya Pradesh
Maharashtra
Manipur
Meghalaya
Mizoram
Nagaland
Odisha
Punjab
Rajasthan
Sikkim
Tamil Nadu
Telangana
Tripura
Uttar Pradesh
Uttarakhand
West Bengal

We also serve major industrial cities like Bangalore, Pune, Surat, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Delhi, and beyond.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about P20 Tool Steel (DIN 1.2311 Steel/DIN 1.2312 Steel/DIN 1.2738 Steel)

1. What is the difference between P20 (DIN 1.2311 Steel), P20+S (DIN 1.2312 Steel), and P20+Ni steel (DIN 1.2738 Steel)?

P20 (DIN 1.2311 Steel): The standard grade, offering an outstanding balance of machinability, polishability, and toughness.
P20+S (DIN 1.2312 Steel): Has added Sulphur for superior machinability, making it easier and faster to machine. It is ideal for complex molds where polishability is secondary.
P20+Ni (DIN 1.2738 Steel): Contains Nickel for enhanced through-hardening in large sections and provides the best possible high-gloss polish. It’s the premium choice for top-tier aesthetic components.

2. What is the typical hardness of P20 steel as supplied?

P20 steel is supplied in a pre-hardened condition, typically between 28 HRC and 34 HRC. This hardness is sufficient for most plastic molding and die casting applications and allows for direct machining.

3. Can I harden P20 steel further after machining?

Yes. Although it’s pre-hardened, P20 can be through-hardened up to approximately 52 HRC by heating to around 850°C and oil quenching, followed by tempering. This is done for applications requiring higher wear resistance.

4. Is P20 steel suitable for aluminum die casting?

Yes, P20 shows excellent performance as a mold material for aluminum die casting and other low-temperature non-ferrous alloys. Its good thermal fatigue resistance and toughness make it a reliable and cost-effective choice.

5. How do I ensure I’m getting the best P20 material price in India?

To get the best price, partner with a direct, large-scale importer and supplier like Milano Special Steel. This eliminates intermediary costs. Additionally, ordering in bulk and providing precise size requirements can help optimize costs.

Partner with India’s Leading P20 Steel Supplier Today

Your search for the best P20 material price, detailed P20 material specification, and reliable P20 material composition ends here. Milano Special Steel is your trusted partner, dedicated to fueling your success with premium steel products and exceptional service.

We invite you to experience the Milano Special Steel difference. Let our 50+ years of expertise work for you.

Contact us today for a no-obligation quote and to discuss your project requirements.

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Milano Special Steel – The Foundation of Quality, The Price of a Partner.