Short answer: Yes — 1.2738 Mold Steel is designed to reduce cracking risk, especially in large molds.

But why?

💡 The Key Reason: Nickel (Ni) Addition

1.2738 contains Nickel, which significantly improves:

✔ Toughness
✔ Hardness uniformity
✔ Resistance to cracking
✔ Structural stability

This makes 1.2738 more reliable than standard 1.2311 or 1.2312, especially for large mold applications.

⚠️ Common Cracking Problems with Standard P20 Steels

When using standard grades like 1.2311 or 1.2312, you may face:

❌ Cracking during machining
❌ Cracking during EDM
❌ Deformation in large blocks
❌ Uneven hardness in thick sections

These problems become more serious when:
• Mold size increases
• Section thickness becomes larger
• Production cycles are long

🚀 Why 1.2738 Performs Better

Because of Nickel addition, 1.2738 offers:

✔ Better toughness in thick sections
✔ More uniform hardness distribution
✔ Lower internal stress
✔ Reduced cracking risk during machining

This is why 1.2738 Mold Steel is widely used for:

• Automotive molds
• Large injection molds
• Home appliance molds
• High-value plastic molds

🔧 When Should You Choose 1.2738?

Choose 1.2738 if you have:

✔ Large mold size
✔ Thick mold blocks
✔ High production volume
✔ High-quality requirements

At Otai Special Steel, we supply high-quality 1.2738 mold steel with:

✔ Strict UT inspection
✔ Stable hardness
✔ ESR grade available
✔ Large block sizes

Looking to reduce cracking risk in your molds?

Let’s connect 👇

📩 Email: rika@otaisteel.com
📱 WhatsApp: +8613642825398