Steel P20 · temper · default condition
Steel P20 Annealed
Properties of the Annealed condition, compared with the other P20 tempers.
Choose when the part will be rough-machined and then through-hardened, or for deep hot-work/EDM-free forming of blocks.
What is P20 Annealed?
P20 Annealed is P20 in the Annealed temper — choose when the part will be rough-machined and then through-hardened, or for deep hot-work/EDM-free forming of blocks. P20 Annealed has a yield strength of 440 MPa (63.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 700 MPa (102 ksi) — stronger than 51% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 20% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi). P20 Annealed has a density of 7.8 g/cm³ (0.282 lb/in³), lighter than 87% of steel grades. It melts at 1,420°C (2,588 °F).
Advantages
- Easy to machine — 65/100, better than 93% of steel grades
- High service temperature — 450°C (842 °F), better than 86% of steel grades
Limitations
- Poor heat conductor — 32 W/m·K (18.5 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 82% of steel grades
- Low fracture toughness — 65 MPa·√m (59.2 ksi·√in), worse than 76% of steel grades
P20 Annealed properties
Typical room-temperature values for P20 Annealed — 12 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every P20 temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the steel grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
P20 Annealed has a density of 7.8 g/cm³ (0.282 lb/in³), lighter than 87% of steel grades. It melts at 1,420°C (2,588 °F).
Mechanical17
P20 Annealed has a yield strength of 440 MPa (63.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 700 MPa (102 ksi) — stronger than 51% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 20% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi).
Thermal6
P20 Annealed is rated for continuous service to 450°C (842 °F). It conducts heat at 32 W/m·K (18.5 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 82% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 12.4 µm/m·K (6.89 µin/in·°F).
Electrical2
P20 Annealed has an electrical resistivity of 2.2×10⁻⁷ Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is poor (15/100), better than 75% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of P20 Annealed takes about 32 MJ of energy and emits 2.2 kg of CO₂ — more than 70% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 40%.
Manufacturability7
P20 Annealed's machinability is good (65/100, better than 93% of steel grades); weldability fair (50/100); formability poor (30/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other P20 tempers and conditions
P20 is also supplied in 3 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the P20 overview.
- AnnealedDefaultChoose when the part will be rough-machined and then through-hardened, or for deep hot-work/EDM-free forming of blocks.440 MPa yield · 200 HB
- Q&TPick when higher wear resistance and cavity-face hardness than pre-hardened stock is needed; accept quench distortion and finish-grinding.1,150 MPa yield · 42 HRC
- PrehardDefault stock condition: machine the cavity directly, no post-machining heat treatment or distortion risk.860 MPa yield · 31 HRC
Working with P20 Annealed
Is P20 easy to machine?
Machines predictably at 28–34 HRC with coated carbide (vc ≈ 120–180 m/min milling); rigid setups and positive rake reduce work-hardened burr, and stress-relieve at 550 °C after heavy roughing of deep cavities.
Can P20 be welded?
Repair-weldable with matching low-alloy or 1.2311-type filler using 300–350 °C preheat, low heat input and immediate 500–550 °C post-weld temper to avoid HAZ cracking.
Can P20 be formed, bent or molded?
Not a cold-forming steel; shape by hot forging at 1050–850 °C followed by slow cooling and soft annealing, or by machining/EDM in the pre-hardened state.
What surface finishes work on P20?
Polishes to mirror finish (best from ESR/VAR remelted plate); typically hard-chrome plated, electroless-nickel plated or nitrided/texture-etched for mold cavities, and must be oiled to prevent rust.
P20 chemical composition (wt %)
Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| C1.2311 typically 0.35–0.45 | 0.28 – 0.4 | 0.35 |
| Si | 0.2 – 0.8 | 0.4 |
| Mn | 0.6 – 1 | 0.8 |
| Cr | 1.4 – 2 | 1.7 |
| Mo | 0.3 – 0.55 | 0.4 |
| P | ≤ 0.03 | — |
| Smax; free-machining variant 1.2312 has S 0.05–0.10 | ≤ 0.03 | — |
| Niresidual; P20+Ni (1.2738) adds ~1.0 Ni for large blocks | ≤ 0.3 | — |
| Fe | balance | — |
P20 Annealed — frequently asked
What is P20 Annealed used for?
P20 Annealed is typically used for plastic injection mould cavities and cores, mould bases and bolster plates, die-cast mould frames, extrusion dies and die plates, blow-mould bodies and large textured automotive trim cavities. In short: pre-hardened plastic mold.
What is the yield strength of P20 Annealed?
P20 Annealed has a typical yield strength of 440 MPa (63.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 700 MPa (102 ksi) — stronger than 51% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.
Is P20 Annealed easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (65/100, better than 93% of steel grades). Machines predictably at 28–34 HRC with coated carbide (vc ≈ 120–180 m/min milling); rigid setups and positive rake reduce work-hardened burr, and stress-relieve at 550 °C after heavy roughing of deep cavities.
Can P20 Annealed be welded?
With care — weldability is rated fair (50/100). Repair-weldable with matching low-alloy or 1.2311-type filler using 300–350 °C preheat, low heat input and immediate 500–550 °C post-weld temper to avoid HAZ cracking.
What surface finishes work on P20 Annealed?
Polishes to mirror finish (best from ESR/VAR remelted plate); typically hard-chrome plated, electroless-nickel plated or nitrided/texture-etched for mold cavities, and must be oiled to prevent rust.
Can P20 Annealed be formed, bent or molded?
Not a cold-forming steel; shape by hot forging at 1050–850 °C followed by slow cooling and soft annealing, or by machining/EDM in the pre-hardened state.
What is the maximum service temperature of P20 Annealed?
P20 Annealed is rated for continuous use to about 450°C (842 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between P20 Annealed and P20 Prehard?
Annealed is the default condition — choose when the part will be rough-machined and then through-hardened, or for deep hot-work/EDM-free forming of blocks. Prehard: default stock condition: machine the cavity directly, no post-machining heat treatment or distortion risk. Yield strength is 440 MPa in Annealed versus 860 MPa in Prehard.
Can FabDigit make parts in P20 Annealed?
Yes — P20 Annealed is available for CNC machining with instant online pricing. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- ASTM A681 – Alloy Tool Steels (Type P20) — ASTM International (2015)
- GB/T 1299 (3Cr2Mo) — SAC (2014)
- EN ISO 4957 Tool steels (40CrMnMo7 / 1.2311) — CEN (2018)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 – Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol.16 – Machining — ASM International (1989)
- Mold steel 1.2311 / P20 datasheet (physical & mechanical data, prehardened) — European tool-steel producers (Böhler / Buderus-type data) (2022)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.