The German DIN standard system provides a precise, globally recognized naming convention for tool and mold steels. It ensures material consistency, quality assurance, and worldwide compatibility — all essential for mold manufacturers working with international clients or high-performance requirements.
Let’s take a closer look at three key German standard mold steels: 1.2311, 1.2344, and 1.2083.
1.2311 (P20 Equivalent): The Plastic Mold Workhorse
DIN 1.2311 is a pre-hardened plastic mold steel directly equivalent to the popular P20 grade. Supplied as a mold steel plate or round bar, it offers excellent machinability and polishability, making it ideal for plastic injection molds.
Common applications include:
Mold bases, cores, and cavities for engineering plastics
General-purpose molds with moderate wear and heat demands
Its balanced properties make 1.2311 one of the most widely used mold steels worldwide.
1.2344 (H13 Equivalent): The Premium Hot Work Grade
When superior thermal performance is required, 1.2344 (equivalent to H13) is the go-to German hot work die steel. It provides outstanding resistance to thermal shock, heat fatigue, and abrasion, even under repeated heating and cooling cycles.
This makes it ideal for:
Aluminum die casting molds
Extrusion tools and high-pressure forging dies
Compared with conventional H13, DIN 1.2344 often shows better consistency and purity, thanks to stricter manufacturing controls.
1.2083 (420 Modified): For Corrosion Resistance
For molds that process corrosive or flame-retardant plastics, 1.2083 offers excellent corrosion resistance, polishability, and wear strength.
It is a martensitic stainless mold steel, derived from 420 stainless steel but optimized for toolmaking applications.
Typical uses include:
Molds for PVC, transparent plastics, and chemically aggressive materials
Medical and food-grade mold applications requiring high surface finish Its stainless nature helps extend mold life and reduce maintenance downtime.
Why Specify German Standard Mold Steels?
Specifying German grades such as 1.2311, 1.2344, and 1.2083 ensures:
Guaranteed chemical composition and mechanical properties
Compatibility across global supply chains
Reliable mold performance from the first shot to the last
To ensure quality and traceability, always source from reputable suppliers who provide certified mill test reports (MTC).
Working with German standard mold steels means your molds deliver precision, durability, and consistent results — project after project.