Steel Die Blocks with Surface Finished Options and Ultrasonic Testing (UT)
At StrataForge X, we recently completed a project involving forged die block steel in P20 grade, supplied in multiple surface-finished conditions to meet different stages of machining and mold manufacturing requirements.This project highlights how tailored material condition and surface preparation can significantly improve manufacturing efficiency and final tooling performance.
The Solutions & Tips
Why P20 Tool Steel Is Widely Used in Die Blocks
P20 is a pre-hardened mold steel commonly used in:
- Plastic injection molds
- Die casting molds (low to medium pressure)
- Tooling fixtures and holders
- Large cavity molds requiring good polishability
Key advantages of P20 include:
- Good machinability in pre-hardened condition
- Uniform hardness (typically ~28–32 HRC)
- Excellent dimensional stability during machining
- Suitable for polishing and texturing
- Cost-effective for large mold bases and die blocks
Because of these properties, P20 is often chosen for large-format die blocks where machining efficiency and surface quality matter as much as strength.
Surface Finished Options in This Project
One of the key requirements from the client was flexibility in machining stages. Instead of a single delivery condition, the P20 die blocks were supplied in multiple surface finish options: