Highprecision Mold Steel S136 Boosts Corrosionresistant Manufacturing

Imagine the sleek surface of your smartphone case or the polished precision of surgical instruments. Behind these flawless finishes often lies a specialized material—S136 tool steel. This high-performance alloy serves as the backbone of precision manufacturing, enabling the production of products with exceptional surface quality.

S136 tool steel refers primarily to two grades: Sweden's ASSAB S136 and Germany's Buderus S136H. These premium mirror-polish tool steels are renowned for their superior corrosion resistance and polishing capabilities. After quenching and tempering, they achieve a hardness of 50-54 HRC, making them particularly suitable for manufacturing precision optical molds and molds for corrosive plastics.

In essence, S136 tool steel combines the strength of traditional steel with the finesse of a master craftsman. Its ability to create mirror-like surfaces makes it indispensable for producing high-quality finished products.

The exceptional properties of S136 tool steel result from meticulous manufacturing processes:

• LF (Ladle Furnace) Refining: This process removes impurities, enhancing the steel's purity.
• VD (Vacuum Degassing): Reduces gas content in the steel, preventing porosity and improving density.
• Forging: Shapes the steel while improving its microstructure for enhanced performance.
• Annealing: Relieves internal stresses and optimizes machinability.

The steel is typically supplied in annealed condition with hardness ≤225 HBS. Additionally, ultrasonic testing (UT) is performed according to SEP 1921-84 Class3 D/d, E/e standards to ensure defect-free material.

The table demonstrates S136's specialized advantages in applications requiring both corrosion resistance and superior surface finish capabilities.