Mold Die Steel

DATA SHEET

A. Finkl & Sons Co.

TYPE 420M STAINLESS STEEL Cleanest...Toughest...Most Machinable

Available by Patented* Vacuum Arc Degassing (VAD) Process
and Balanced Deoxidation Techniques

Typical Composition 420M (AISI 420 Mod) Finkl 420M is 100% ultrasonically tested according to
Carbon 0.35 Chromium 13.0 the most rigorous standerds. It is fully warranted for a
Manganese 0.50 Molybdenum 0.50 molds and dies.
Silicon 0.35 Phosphorus 0.040 Max
Micro-alloy Additions Sulphur 0.006 Max The chemical composition of standerd 420 stainless has
been modified in order to enhance corrosion performance.
Finkl 420M is a martensitic stainless steel for plastic Molybdenum is added for carbide forming for improved
molds where high wear resistance and polishability strength, and improved corrosion resistance stabilizing
are required in addition to corrosion resistance. element. The overall package is the best 420 type
stainless steel availible.

Finkl 420M is ALWAYS forged with a minimum of 5 to Applications

1 reduction. It is sold in the annealed condition, with
a hardness of approximately 200 on the Brinell scale,
but may also be pre-hardened.
Finkl 420M stainless steel is forged utilizing wide die
techniques which assure consolidated centers and fine
grain structure, resulting in improved properties throu-
ghout.
Finkl 420M of Premium Quality is produced by the pat-
ented Double Vacuum Process, which consists of Vac-
uum Arc Degassing followed by Vacuum Arc Remelt-
ing. This process offers extraordinary cleanliness and
a more unform distribution of alloys (see 420M Premium
Quality Data Sheet).
Finkl 420M is recommended for plastics, glass, and other
materials requiring molds exhibiting exellent polishability.
The addition of the molybdenum improves the corrosion
resistance of 420M versus AISI 420. This may reduce or
eliminate the need to chrome plate molds in order to avoid
corrosion.
Premium quality 420M is especially recommended for
plastic lense or other high quality optical applications.
(See 420M Premium Quality Data Sheet).
Finkl 420M heattreated to high hardness (40+ HRC) is
also recommended for molding abrasive, filled plastics.
 Recommended Heat Treatment Practice
Process Temperature Cooling (Quenching)
Annealing 1425-1500 F (775-815 C) Slow cool in furnace
Stress Relieving 50-100 F (30-55 C) below final tempering temperature Slow cool to [875 F] (470 C), then in air
Preheating 700-1225 F (370-660 C) Preheat in two stages
Hardening 1850-1950 F (1010-1065 C) soaking 30 min. Oil or salt bath [650-850 F] (340-450 C)
Tempering See figure 1.; hold 1hr. per inch (25 min. per cm) of thickness Air
Rockwell C Hardness

CVN Absorbed Energy(ft.lbs.)

420M AISI 420

TemperingTemperature(F) Testing Temperature(F)

(C)
(C)

Finkl 420M exhibits improved toughness over AISI 420 stainless steel. The DBTT curve illustrates 420M's increased
impact toughness at all test temptures. Double Vacuum Processing of 420M Premium Quality increases the toughness
even further--resulting in molds and dies with greater resistance to cracking and catastrophic failure.

Thermal Properties of 420M Hardened and Tempered to 50 Rockwell C

Temperature 70 F (21 C) 400 F (204 C) 750 F (399 C)
Coefficient of thermal expansion
[x10/F] (x10 /K) 6.1(10.98) 6.4(11.52)

Thermal conductivity
2
[Btu.in/ft -hr. F] (W/m-k) 163(23.5) 170(24.5) 176(25.4)
Specific Heat
[Btu/lb. F] (J/kg.K) 0.11(460.5)

CHICAGO LOS ANGELES

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Toll Free: (800)621-1460 Toll Free: (800)248-0551
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CLEVELAND
Phone: (330)630-9601
Toll Free: (800)461-3436
MINNEAPOLIS
Phone: (612)724-8967
Toll Free: (888)724-8967
A Finkl & Sons Co
One Finkl Plaza
Fax: (330)630-9693 Fax: (612)724-8968 (2011 N Southport Ave.)
Chicago, IL 60614-4079
Phone: 773/975-2510
DETROIT ST. LOUIS
Phone: (810)756-3777 Phone: (612)724-8967
FAX 773/348-5347
Toll Free: (800)367-4720 Toll Free: (888)521-1414 Toll free phone:
Fax: (810)757-3048 Fax: (314)521-1245 1-800-DIE-BLOCK
WWW.FINKL.COM
PRODUCT WARRANTY
The material herein merely constitutes instructions furnished gratuitously for your consideration. These instructions are intended as suggestions only and do not purport to be complete or to
replace or to constitute normal shop practices. A. Finkl & Sons Co. makes no representation or warranty of any kind, express or implied with respect to the matters covered herein, whether
as to merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, reproducibility of properties and results set out herein, or any other matter.
EXCLUSION OF WARRANTIES-THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITYAND FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE ARE EXCLUDED.