LSS 420 MQ

DATA SHEET
Issue 1
TM
LSS 420 MQ Plastic Mold Steel
AISI Type 420 Stainless Steel
Typical Composition
C Mn Si Cr V
0.38 0.45 0.40 13.60 0.30
LSS 420 MQ is a highly-refined, Mold Quality stainless steel that is engineered to
exhibit excellent polishability, good corrosion resistance, and good wear resistance.
LSS 420 MQ is melted using an electric-arc furnace, is refined by the argon-oxygen-
decarburization (AOD) process, and is further enhanced to aerospace quality levels
using Vacuum-Arc or Electro-Slag Remelting. These special melting and forging
practices result in ultra-high microcleanliness and a homogeneous microstructure.
LSS 420 MQ is a superior material for the manufacture of plastic molds that
require high hardness for good parting line retention and sealing between colored
resins. It also resists attack from the corrosive vapors that are produced during molding
of some plastic resins. The corrosion resistance also enhances extended tool storage
in humid environments. The high cleanliness and homogeneity make LSS 420 MQ a
superb choice for mold cavities that require photoetching/texturizing or the highest,
lens-quality polished finishes.
Typical applications include plastic mold cavities, plastic extrusion dies, cutlery,
surgical and dental instruments, gauges, valves, shafts, cams, and ball bearings.
Physical Properties
Density: 0.280 lb/in3 (7750 kg/m3)
Specific Gravity: 7.75
Modulus of Elasticity: 29x106 psi (200 GPa)
Electrical Resistivity: 54.8 µOhm-cm at 70°F (21°C)
Machinability: 55-60% of a 1% carbon steel

Coefficient of Thermal Expansion:
Thermal Conductivity: Temperature in/in/ Temperature mm/mm/
Temperature Btu/ Temperature W/ °F °F x 10
-6
°C °C x 10
-6
°F hr-ft-°F °C m-°C 68 - 212 5.7 20 - 100 10.2
68 13.25 20 22.84 68 - 600 6.0 20 - 316 10.8
390 13.83 199 23.93 68 - 1000 6.5 20 - 538 11.7
750 14.42 399 24.95 68 - 1200 6.8 20 - 649 12.2
COPYRIGHT© 2006 by Latrobe Specialty Steel Co. TM-Trademark of Latrobe Specialty Steel Co. 12/06
LSS 420 MQ
HEAT TREATING INSTRUCTIONS
(See Tech-Topics Bulletin 102 for a more thorough ANNEALING: Annealing must be performed after
explanation of heat treating.) hot working and before rehardening.
Heat at a rate not exceeding 400°F per hour (222°C
CRITICAL TEMPERATURES
per hour) to 1525-1625°F (830-885°C), and hold at
Ac1: 1475°F (802°C)
temperature for 1 hour per inch (24.5 mm) of
Ac3: 1585°F (863°C)
maximum thickness; 2 hours minimum. Then cool
HARDENING: slowly with the furnace at a rate not exceeding 40°F
Preheating: To minimize distortion in complex tools per hour (22°C per hour) to 1000°F (538°C).
use a double preheat. Heat at a rate not exceeding Continue cooling to ambient temperature in the
400°F per hour (222°C per hour) to 1150-1250°F furnace or in air. The resultant hardness should be a
(621-677°C), equalize, then raise to 1400-1500°F maximum of 235 HBW.
(760-816°C) and equalize. For normal tools, use only
the second temperature range as a single preheating
treatment.
Austenitizing (High Heat): Heat rapidly from the HEAT TREATMENT RESPONSE
preheat.
As Air Cooled from HRC
Furnace or Salt: 1800-1900°F (982-1038°C)
1800°F (982°C), 30 minutes 52
For maximum toughness, use 1800°F (982°C)
1850°F (1010°C), 30 minutes 55.5
For maximum hardness and wear resistance, use 1900°F (1038°C), 30 minutes 56.5
1900 (1038°C).
Soak at temperature for a minimum of 30 minutes for
sections up to 5 inches (127mm) in thickness. Add Tempering Temperature, °C
Unnotched Izod Impact Toughness, ft-lb

an additional 10 minutes of soak time for each 393 413 433 453 473 493 513 533 553 573 593
58
additional inch (25.4 mm) of thickness.
56 Hardness
Quenching: Air, pressurized gas, or warm oil. Toughness 30
Section thicknesses up to and including 5 inches 54
Rockwell C Hardness
(127 mm) will typically fully through harden when 52 25

cooled in still air from the austenitizing treatment. 50
20
Sections greater than 5 inches (127 mm) in thickness 48
will require accelerated cooling by using forced air, 46 15
pressurized gas, or an interrupted oil quench to 44
obtain maximum hardness, corrosion resistance, and 42 10
toughness. 40 Air Cooled from 1850°F (1010°C)
and Double Tempered 5
For pressurized gas, a minimum quench rate of 38
approximately 30°F (18°C) per minute to below 36
1000°F (538°C) is required to obtain the optimum 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900 1000 1100
properties in the steel. Tempering Temperature, °F
For oil, quench until black, about 900°F (482°C),
then cool in still air to 150-125°F (66-51°C).
Tempering: Temper immediately after quenching.
The typical tempering temperature of 700°F (371°C)
will result in a hardness of approximately 51 to 53
HRC. However, tempering temperatures in the range
of 400 to 775°F (204-413°C) may be used.
Tempering in the range of 800 to 1025°F (427-552°C)
will decrease both the corrosion resistance and
toughness of the steel.
Hold at the tempering temperature for 1 hour per
inch (25.4 mm) of thickness, but for no less than 4
hours, then air cool to ambient temperature. Double
tempering is required. To maximize toughness, a
third temper is recommended.
The data presented herein are typical values, and do not warrant
suitability for any specific application or use of this material.
Normal variations in the chemical composition, the size of the
product, and heat treatment parameters may result in different
values for the various physical and mechanical properties.
Latrobe, PA Phone: 724-537-7711 Vienna, OH Phone: 800-321-6446 Marlborough, MA Phone: 800-444-4447

FAX: 724-532-6316 FAX: 330-609-2054 FAX: 508-481-6581
WEB: www.timkenlatrobe.com

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DATA SHEET

Machinability: 55-60% of a 1% carbon steel

Unnotched Izod Impact Toughness, ft-lb

(127 mm) will typically fully through harden when 52 25

Latrobe, PA Phone: 724-537-7711 Vienna, OH Phone: 800-321-6446 Marlborough, MA Phone: 800-444-4447

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