Mold Steel: Which Steel is Best for Your Molds?

One of the larger capital expenses to push a new product to market is the up-front costs for tooling in order to manufacture the product. In addition to piece part pricing, OEMs must review costs for tooling both up front, and throughout the life of the end product. Costs for tooling, also known as a mold, can vary greatly depending on the size & geometry of the part, intricacy of the mold design, and steel of the mold. OEMs must compare the costs and life cycle of the mold with the life cycle of its end-product. Besides cost, the type of steel used in molds can also affect the life expectancy of the mold.

Below are some general pros & cons of each steel to consider when building your mold:

SS-420 STAINLESS STEEL
Pros
-Lowest Cost
-Good for Prototyping Thermoplastics
Cons
-Not Suitable for Thermosets

P-20 STEEL
Pros
-Lower Cost
-Good for Prototyping Thermosets
Cons
-Lower Mold Life Longevity

H-13 STEEL
Pros
-Long Mold Life Longevity
Cons
-Higher Cost
-Tougher to Rework/Machine

S-7 STEEL
Pros
-Long Mold Life Longevity
-Easier to Rework/Machine
Cons
-Higher Cost