Meaning
Stainless tool steel specifications governed by German industrial standards define corrosion-resistant materials used in plastic injection molding. The designation din 1.2083 specifies a martensitic chromium steel alloy containing approximately thirteen percent chromium, providing resistance to acidic polymers and moist operating environments. Steel produced under this standard offers high polishability required for optical components and battery cell casing molds.
The material forms the baseline specification for tooling handling corrosive resins and abrasive fillers.
Material Integrity
Chromium content grants chemical passivity against volatile acids released during polymer processing. Molds manufactured from din 1.2083 achieve high surface mirror finishes after vacuum arc remelting and diamond polishing. Thermal conductivity remains lower than unalloyed tool steels, requiring optimized cooling channel layouts inside the mold base.
Mechanical strength maintains dimensional stability under high cavity injection pressures.
Heat Treatment
Hardening involves austenitizing followed by oil or gas quenching to achieve martensitic transformation. Tempering cycles for din 1.2083 select target hardness levels between forty-eight and fifty-four Rockwell C scale. Stress relieving before final machining prevents warping during operation.
Procurement Standard
Tooling drawings reference the standard code alongside required cleanliness grades and ultrasonic inspection levels. Purchasing din 1.2083 requires mill test certificates verifying chemical composition and freedom from carbide segregation. Material costs exceed standard carbon tool steels but reduce downtime caused by mold cavity pitting.
Acceptance testing checks surface hardness and dimensional tolerances after final heat treatment.