Milano Special Steel supplies and stocks premium-grade P20 Steel Plates, DIN 1.2738 Steel (40CrMnNiMo8.6.4), and advanced mold steels, such as MD Xtra and Lucchini 2738.

Offering DIN 1.2738 Steel, LUCCHINI 2738, W. Nr. 1.2738 – DIN EN ISO 4957 40CrMnNiMo8.6.4, and MD®Xtra cut-to-size plates and rounds at competitive pricing for Nationwide delivery to both retail and wholesale buyers in India.

With over 50 years of experience since 1972, operational hubs across major NCR/industrial belts, and a deep catalog spanning P20/P20+Ni equivalents, the company positions itself as a leading importer, supplier, and manufacturer of plastic mold steel, aluminum die casting, and pressure die casting applications in India.

What is DIN 1.2738 (P20+Ni) steel

DIN 1.2738 Steel is a pre-hardened plastic mold steel defined under DIN EN ISO 4957 with the designation 40CrMnNiMo8-6-4. It is widely recognized as an enhanced P20+Ni mold steel grade that improves through-hardening, polishability, and machinability for medium- to large-sized molds. It is commonly supplied at 290–330 HB (approximately 30–35 HRC), delivering stable hardness through section, good texturing, and reliable dimensional stability after machining and EDM for injection and compression mold tooling.

Chemical composition and standards

The typical composition window for DIN 1.2738 Steel per EN ISO 4957 includes C 0.35–0.45, Mn 1.30–1.60, Si 0.20–0.40, Cr 1.80–2.10, Mo 0.15–0.25, Ni 0.90–1.20 with low P/S (≤0.030), reflecting the P20+Ni class with balanced toughness and hardenability across thick sections. Cross-standard equivalence maps 1.2738 under DIN EN ISO 4957 to AISI P20+Ni (often referred to as 718 or modified P20 variants) for global sourcing alignment in mold steel projects.

Mechanical and physical properties

Industeel’s W 1.2738 datasheet lists delivery hardness at 290–330 HB, with typical values showing Rp0.2 ≈ 826 MPa, Rm ≈ 993 MPa, elongation ≈ 17%, and KCV ≈ 25 J at room temperature, supporting robust core and cavity performance for thermoplastic molds. Thermal conductivity of approximately 29 W/m·K at 20°C, combined with moderate expansion coefficients, enables predictable cycle times and dimensional control for mold designs that require fine texturing and polishing to optical quality with low-sulfur melts.

Applications: plastic and die casting tooling

DIN 1.2738 Steel/P20+Ni is used for injection mold cores and cavities, blow molds, extrusion tooling for thermoplastics, large cosmetic or textured molds, and prototype aluminum die casting dies due to its machinability and uniform prehard condition. It is suitable for automotive interior/exterior molds, home appliance housings, PET preform molds, and mold bases/plates, benefiting from nitriding, texturing, and polishing capability for high-finish surfaces.

P20 Steel vs. DIN 1.2738 Steel (P20+Ni)

• P20 is the foundational prehardened mold steel; DIN 1.2738 Steel adds nickel to enhance through-hardening, polishability, and performance in thicker sections and larger molds.

• DIN 1.2738 Steel typically achieves more uniform hardness across heavy cross-sections than P20 (1.2311), supporting bigger mold blocks with lower risk of hardness drop at the core, improving durability and surface finish consistency.

Lucchini 2738 (KeyLos 2738 MHH)

Lucchini RS offers KeyLos 2738MHH as a high-hardness, high-hardenability evolution of DIN 1.2738 Steel for large automotive and appliance molds, featuring excellent finishing, weldability, and thermal performance across thick sections. Published properties include tensile strength of up to approximately 1085 MPa at 20°C after hardening/tempering, with high hardness retention throughout the thickness and strong section hardenability, targeting applications such as bumpers, dashboards, and extensive appliance tooling.

MD®Xtra: high-performance prehardened mold steel

MD®Xtra is a patented, modified P20/1.2738 HH-class mold steel emphasizing very high thermal conductivity, improved through-hardenability, uniform hardness, and excellent texturing/polishability for long-run molds and abrasive or filled polymers. It is engineered for simplified maintenance and high impact strength, supporting grained or chrome-plated molds and compression tooling where thermal uniformity and wear life drive total cost savings.

DIN EN ISO 4957 and 40CrMnNiMo8-6-4

The steel number DIN 1.2738 Steel is the Werkstoffnummer associated with EN ISO 4957’s 40CrMnNiMo8-6-4, providing a harmonized European designation for procurement and QA traceability in tool steel supply chains. Multiple references note modern EN ISO 4957:2018 continuity, ensuring that current sourcing aligns with updated norm requirements for tool steels in Europe and globally.

Why Milano Special Steel

• Decades of expertise: Established in 1972, Milano Special Steel brings more than five decades of mold steel experience, aligning selection, heat treatment, and machining guidance with real-world shop needs.

• Deep portfolio: Stocking P20 Steel, DIN 1.2738 Steel, P20+Ni Steel equivalents, and advanced variants like MD®Xtra and Lucchini 2738 for projects demanding higher thermal conductivity, texturing fidelity, or section hardenability.

• Cut-to-size services: Plates and rounds are available with custom cut-piece supply in short lead times, enabling cost control and reduced material waste for tool rooms and large mold makers.

India-wide supply coverage

With operational hubs in Gurugram, Kundli, Sonipat, Manesar, Bawal, Bhiwadi, Dharuhera, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, Noida, Greater Noida, and RIICO-linked industrial corridors, distribution extends across all Indian states and union territories for prompt delivery to OEMs, tier suppliers, and precision mold shops. This footprint supports key clusters, including Bangalore, Pune, and Surat, enabling direct service to the automotive, appliance, packaging, and consumer goods sectors.

Product forms and sizes

• P20 Steel Plates and DIN 1.2738 Steel plates: Prehardened blocks and slabs, optimized for large molds with 290–330 HB supply condition for rapid machining and minimal heat treatment lead time.

• Round bars and mold bases: Engineered rounds and base plates for cores, cavities, and structural mold members, compatible with nitriding and surface treatments as required by tool design.

Processing guidance

• Delivery condition: Prehardened to circa 30–35 HRC, typically enabling direct machining followed by surface conditioning, nitriding, or plating per part requirements.

• Heat treatment windows for Typical DIN 1.2738 steel include annealing at 710–740°C, hardening at 840–870°C with oil/air quench, and tempering to achieve specific hardness targets. Consult grade-specific datasheets for exact cycles by section size.

• Surface engineering: Good suitability for texturing and high-polish finishes, with low-sulfur melts enhancing optical and cosmetic surface quality in injection molds.

Industries served

• Plastic mold production: Injection molds for thermoplastics and thermosets, including transparent melts, where polishability and uniform hardness drive cosmetic outcomes and cycle-time consistency.

• Aluminum and pressure die casting: Prototype and pre-series dies, die shoes, and structural mold components where toughness and machinability matter for fast turnarounds.

• Cutting tools and sheet forming: Select press dies, press-brake tools, and assemble components that utilize flame hardening or nitriding to enhance wear performance.

Sourcing equivalents and callouts

• AISI P20+Ni equivalence: DIN 1.2738 Steel aligns with P20+Ni, often referred to as 718/P20Ni in commercial channels. Ensure procurement notes specify EN ISO 4957 40CrMnNiMo8-6-4 and W. Nr. 1.2738 for clarity.

• Enhanced variants: MD®Xtra (~AISI P20mod / 1.2738mod HH) and Lucchini KeyLos 2738MHH offer improved hardenability and thermal behavior for larger molds, reducing core hardness drop and improving service life.

Typical datasheet values snapshot

• Delivery hardness: 290–330 HB (~30–35 HRC) for 1.2738 class.

• Mechanical benchmarks: Yield ≈ 826 MPa, tensile ≈ 993 MPa, elongation ≈ 17% at 20°C for W 1.2738 datasheet condition.

• Chemistry window: C 0.35–0.45, Mn 1.30–1.60, Si 0.20–0.40, Cr 1.80–2.10, Mo 0.15–0.25, Ni 0.90–1.20, P/S ≤0.030.

Quality and consistency advantages

• Uniform hardness throughout the section: The nickel-bearing DIN 1.2738 Steel composition and advanced variants mitigate hardness decay in thick sections, reducing the risk of a soft core in large molds.

• Enhanced surface outcomes: Low sulfur and controlled chemistry foster consistent texturing and high-gloss polishing needed for aesthetic parts and optical components.

Value for mold makers

• Faster machining: Prehardened supply reduces heat treatment queues, enabling immediate CNC and EDM operations with predictable stability.

• Lower total cost: Better thermal conductivity and stable hardness can reduce cycle times, maintenance intervals, and surface rework on long-run programs.

Competitive pricing and availability

Milano Special Steel maintains strategic stocks of P20, DIN 1.2738, and upgraded 1.2738 HH-class grades to sustain competitive pricing and short lead times for urgent mold base and block requirements. The combination of domestic distribution and international sourcing aligns with OEM timelines and cost-down targets in automotive and consumer goods programs.

Custom-cut pieces

The company supports custom-cut-to-size plates and rounds for both retail and wholesale orders, minimizing waste and machining time for toolrooms and large mold shops. Cut pieces are prepared to tight tolerances with material test certificates referencing EN ISO 4957 and Werkstoffnummer DIN 1.2738 Steel for traceability.

Technical pairings and treatments

• Nitriding: DIN 1.2738 Steel supports nitriding to enhance surface wear resistance without compromising core toughness, making it suitable for erosive polymers or areas with sliding wear.

• Hard chrome and coatings: Applicable where corrosion resistance or release characteristics are required, often in conjunction with high polish.

• Weldability: Advanced variants (e.g., MD®Xtra, 2738 MHH) emphasize good weld repair behavior for maintenance cycles on high-output molds.

Preferred use cases by grade

• DIN 1.2738 Steel (P20+Ni): General-purpose medium-to-large plastic molds, transparent melts, grained surfaces, balanced machinability, and polish.

• Lucchini 2738 MHH: Huge automotive and appliance molds needing high section hardenability and toughness, with excellent finishing characteristics.

• MD®Xtra: Long-run, high-cavitation molds, hot-runner systems, and filled polymer processing where high thermal conductivity and wear resistance deliver measurable cycle and life gains.

Technical FAQs

• What makes DIN 1.2738 Steel different from 1.2311 Steel?
  1.2738 contains nickel, which significantly improves through-hardening and toughness in larger sections compared to 1.2311, helping maintain uniform hardness and finish quality on big molds.

• Can DIN 1.2738 Steel be polished to optical finishes?
  Yes, low-sulfur variants and tight chemistry controls enable excellent polishability, making them suitable for transparent thermoplastic molds and high-gloss cosmetic tooling.

• What delivery hardness should be expected?
  The prehardened condition is typically 290–330 HB (approximately 30–35 HRC), ready for machining and texturing without additional complete hardening, although surface nitriding may be applied.

• Is DIN 1.2738 Steel suitable for die casting?
  It is commonly used for prototype or pre-series aluminum die casting tools, base plates, and structural elements; specialized hot-work steels are used for production dies, but DIN 1.2738 Steel supports fast-turn prototyping and cost-effective tooling.

Quality control and certifications

Material is supplied with test certificates referencing EN ISO 4957 40CrMnNiMo8-6-4 and W. Nr. 1.2738, providing full traceability to composition and mechanical properties documented by mill and distributor QA. For MD®Xtra and Lucchini 2738 MHH, grade-specific datasheets guide process parameters, ensuring properties are met in heavy sections and after secondary operations.

Ordering guide: get the right block

• Define mold size and section thickness to determine if base 1.2738 or high-hardness/HH variants are optimal for hardness uniformity and thermal behavior.

• Specify surface requirements (texture, high-gloss, chrome plating) to match low-sulfur melts and polishing capability; choose variants with documented texturing performance.

• Confirm the machining plan and delivery hardness to minimize heat treatment steps; rely on pre-hardened blocks and consider nitriding for wear-critical features.

Service coverage: pan-India logistics

Milano Special Steel services all Indian states and UTs from NCR hubs and partner yards, supporting quick turnarounds for Bangalore, Pune, Surat, and industrial corridors, including RIICO areas, with door-delivery capabilities. This distribution enables synchronized delivery with machining vendors, EDM partners, and mold assembly shops, thereby shortening program timelines.

Summary of key advantages

• Uniform prehardened hardness and machinability for fast mold builds, reducing total lead time.

• Enhanced thermal conductivity and surface finish capability for demanding cosmetic and high-output molds.

• Proven large-section performance with MHH and modified P20 variants for automotive and appliance tooling.

Contact and next steps

For detailed quotes, cut-to-size requests, or technical selection between P20 Steel, DIN 1.2738 Steel, MD Xtra, and Lucchini 2738 MHH, Milano Special Steel provides rapid consultation, mill test documentation, and India-wide delivery scheduling aligned with build milestones. Request chemical and mechanical certifications tied to EN ISO 4957 40CrMnNiMo8-6-4 (W. Nr. 1.2738) and process notes for polishing, texturing, nitriding, and maintenance planning for long-life tools.

Technical appendix: key data extracts

• Standards and designations
  1.2738 corresponds to EN ISO 4957 grade 40CrMnNiMo8-6-4 and Werkstoffnummer 1.2738, with AISI alignment to P20+Ni for international equivalence.

• Typical composition, wt.%
  C 0.35–0.45, Mn 1.30–1.60, Si 0.20–0.40, Cr 1.80–2.10, Mo 0.15–0.25, Ni 0.90–1.20, P/S ≤0.030.

• Delivery hardness and mechanicals
  Prehardened 290–330 HB; typical Rp0.2 ≈ 826 MPa, Rm ≈ 993 MPa, elongation ≈ 17% at 20°C; KCV ≈ 25 J.

• MD®Xtra highlights
  Enhanced thermal conductivity, improved through-hardenability, uniform hardness, superior texturing, and weldability; positioned as a quality prehardened mold steel (~AISI P20mod – 1.2738mod HH).

• Lucchini 2738 MHH highlights
  Excellent hardenability, toughness, finishing, and weldability for big automotive/appliance molds; strong hardness retention through thickness and robust tensile properties after quench and temper.