MATERIALS

Since Deutsche Edelstahlwerke was established in January 2007, the advisory service of the distribution sector has been continuously expanded and optimised. Despite the enormous organisational effort, the amalgamation of the four main locations has proved to be an advantage, because many different technical and commercial competencies come together here, thus making the flow of information and advice even more comprehensive.
The advisory service for tool and mould designers is of particular importance here, for these designers need specialty steels that are tailored exactly to their specific applications. Sometimes the selection of exactly the right material, including further processing services, is like putting together a complicated jigsaw puzzle. This is where expert know-how is called for – not only on the part of the user but also on the part of the supplier. After all, even tiny differences in the application of the material can lead to the use of completely different tool steels.

How to make a tool solution from the many different parts of a jigsaw

Before a suitable steel solution is selected, we therefore have to answer some fundamental questions: Within what temperature range is the tool to be used? What loads does it have to withstand? How much wear resistance is required? How great is the danger of cracking caused by tension? “The combination of properties that finally leads to the best result must be redefined for each application”, explains Rolf Krusenbaum, Sales Manager for Plastic Mould Steel at Deutsche Edelstahlwerke. In many projects, the buyers from the mould and tool manufacturing companies know exactly what steel solution they require, while in other cases the choice is more tricky, especially since the steel suppliers develop more special qualities and new creations at shorter and shorter intervals.
“We regard it as part of our service to inform our customers regularly about these new and improved products”, says Mr Krusenbaum.
How can one speed up the selection process in everyday practice? Wolfgang Pannes, Product Manager for tool steel at Deutsche Edelstahlwerke, recommends that companies should involve future material suppliers in new projects as early as possible. “Ideally, feasibility and material availability have already been settled before the tool or mould designer has been awarded the final contract for the new project”, explains Mr Pannes. “The active exchange of views about the constantly changing requirements in the industry is absolutely necessary for the development of top new solutions.”

When high-tech meets customer-friendly

Deutsche Edelstahlwerke provided a direct response to the needs of the industry, for example with the introduction of Plast 320 high-performance steel at EuroMold 2007. One year later, customers are still giving the new material good marks. Customers use it mainly for the construction of plastic injection moulds and compression moulds. So far, however, Plast 320 has also been used successfully for aluminium die casting frames, for example by the international company Nemak, a leading producer of cylinder heads, cylinder crankcases and landing gear parts made of cast aluminium. “This material shows greater hardness, yet is tougher and more stable than conventional qualities”, confirms Mr Pudelko, head of tool construction at Nemak, Poland. By conventional qualities he means the two well-known materials Thyroplast 2311 and Thyroplast 2738, of which the new Plast 320 is a further development.
Compared to its predecessors, however, Plast 320 has improved values not only in terms of hardness and machinability, but also in terms of thermal treating capability as well as polishing capability and grainability. This is made possible by additional thermal treatment and specific analysis modifications. “This specialty steel thus meets the different requirements of designers and toolmakers”, is how Rolf Krusenbaum sums up the success factors.
At the same time, the proportion of nickel is comparatively low, which means that Plast 320 not only opens up new dimensions with regard to design and quality, but also with regard to cost-effectiveness.
Plast 320 is supplied with two different hardnesses and is thus extremely suited to developing larger and more complicated moulds with deep engravings and high demands on core strength.
“We are very happy that Deutsche Edelstahlwerke informed us so soon about this new development, so that with their support we were able to successfully integrate Plast 320 into our processes”, says Edward Pudelko.

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