A detailed comparison of the chemical compositions for P20 Steel, DIN 1.2311, DIN 1.2312, DIN 1.2738, DIN 1.2085, DIN 1.2316+S, DIN 1.2316, DIN 1.2083, and AISI 420S shows that each grade’s alloy balance is purpose-built, leading to distinct outcomes in machinability, achievable hardness, polishability, and corrosion resistance.
DIN 1.2311 and DIN 1.2312 are P20-type prehardened plastic mould steels engineered for good machinability and dimensional stability; 1.2312 typically includes controlled sulfur to further enhance machinability, with a modest trade-off in ultimate mirror polish and notch toughness. DIN 1.2738 is a nickel-modified P20 variant designed for larger moulds, offering more uniform through-section hardness and improved core strength with reliable polishability.
DIN 1.2085 is a prehardened corrosion-resistant mould steel often tailored for better machinability (commonly using sulfur), making it a practical choice for mould bases, cores, and textured finishes, though it is less suited to extreme mirror gloss. DIN 1.2316 and DIN 1.2316+S are martensitic stainless mould steels that combine higher chromium with molybdenum for robust resistance to rust and staining—ideal for water-cooled tools and mildly corrosive polymers; the +S variant improves cutting performance but can slightly limit the highest-gloss finishes. DIN 1.2083 is a high-chromium martensitic stainless grade known for excellent corrosion resistance and high-gloss polishability, especially when supplied in ESR-refined form. AISI 420S (sulfurized 420) retains stainless corrosion resistance while delivering improved machinability versus standard 420, making it suitable for components where fine finishes are required without the most demanding mirror requirements.
Within this group, DIN 1.2085, DIN 1.2316+S, DIN 1.2316, DIN 1.2083, and AISI 420S are particularly recognized for strong corrosion resistance. These grades achieve their best long-term durability when finished to a high-quality polish and maintained properly, as smooth surfaces help sustain the protective passive layer and reduce the risk of staining, pitting, and corrosion under production conditions.
Because composition windows, cleanliness levels (including ESR options), and supply conditions vary by standard and mill practice, always refer to the applicable DIN/EN or AISI/ASTM specifications and verify details with your supplier’s datasheets and Mill Test Certificates for precise chemistry limits and the exact condition of supply.