What Is 1.2316 Steel?

1.2316 is a chromium-molybdenum stainless plastic mold steel developed specifically for molds operating in humid or corrosive environments.

Compared with ordinary mold steels such as 1.2311 (P20) or 1.2738, 1.2316 contains approximately 16% chromium, giving it significantly better corrosion resistance.

This steel is commonly supplied in the pre-hardened condition with hardness ranging from 28–34 HRC, allowing mold makers to machine it directly without additional heat treatment in many applications.

It is known under several international standards:

Standard	Grade
DIN	1.2316
EN	X36CrMo17
AISI Equivalent	Modified 420 Stainless Mold Steel
JIS Similar	SUS420J2 (Not identical)

Why Are Large 1.2316 Plates Becoming More Popular?

Many modern plastic products are becoming larger and more sophisticated.

Examples include:

Automotive bumpers
Home appliance housings
Medical equipment shells
Refrigerator liners
Large storage containers
Cosmetic mold bases
Food packaging molds
Optical products

These molds require:

Larger mold blocks
Better dimensional stability
Uniform hardness
Excellent polishing performance
Long service life

Large 1.2316 plates satisfy all these requirements.

Instead of welding smaller blocks together, manufacturers can machine one solid plate, improving mold strength while reducing production risk.

Chemical Composition of 1.2316 Steel

The excellent corrosion resistance of 1.2316 comes from its carefully balanced alloy composition.

Element	Content (%)
Carbon (C)	0.33–0.45
Silicon (Si)	≤1.00
Manganese (Mn)	≤1.00
Chromium (Cr)	15.5–17.0
Molybdenum (Mo)	0.80–1.30
Phosphorus (P)	≤0.030
Sulfur (S)	≤0.030

Why does chromium matter?

Chromium forms a passive oxide layer on the steel surface, protecting it from rust and corrosion.

With over 15% chromium, 1.2316 performs much better than standard mold steels when exposed to:

Humidity
Cooling water
PVC processing gases
Acidic environments
Condensation

Available Dimensions from Dongguan Otai Special Steel

We supply 1.2316 large plates in a wide range of sizes.

Typical supply includes:

Thickness	Width	Length
20–80 mm	Up to 1500 mm	Up to 6000 mm
80–300 mm	Up to 2200 mm	Up to 6000 mm
300–800 mm	Custom	Custom

Custom cutting is also available according to customer drawings.

Quality Inspection Before Delivery

Every 1.2316 large plate undergoes strict inspection before shipment.

Our inspection includes:

Chemical composition analysis
Hardness testing
Ultrasonic testing (UT)
Surface inspection
Dimensional inspection
Material traceability
EN 10204 3.1 Material Test Certificate (MTC)

Additional testing is available upon request, including third-party inspections.

Why Choose Dongguan Otai Special Steel?

With years of experience exporting special steel worldwide, Dongguan Otai Special Steel has become a trusted supplier for mold manufacturers in Europe, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, South America, and beyond.

We offer: