CSM® 2
(AISI P20)
CSM 2 is a prehardened, general purpose mold steel suitable for production of machined or EDM’d plastic mold and zinc die casting die components. CSM 2 is supplied prehardened at two hardnesses: regular at about 300 BHN and high hard at about 340 BHN.
Typical Chemistry
Carbon 0.30%
Manganese 0.75%
Silicon 0.50%
Chromium 1.70%
Molybdenum 0.40%
Typical Applications
Injection Molds Zinc Diecasting Dies
Compression Molds Prototype Molds & Dies
Transfer Molds Holders and Backers

Hardening

CSM 2 is supplied prehardened at two hardnesses. The usual hardness is about 300 BHN (about 30/32 HRC). If additional compressive resistance is required, our CSM 2 High Hard is available at about 340 BHN (about 35/38 HRC). Further heat treating is normally not required. If desired CSM 2 may be heat treated for higher strength. Care must be exercised to minimize the risk of distortion or cracking due to oil quenching.

Preheat: 1250/1350F, equalize.

High heat: 1500/1550F, hold 30-45 minutes at temperature.

Quench: Oil quench to 150/200F. Temper immediately.

Temper: 400-1200F, hold one hour per inch of thickness (two hours minimum). Temper twice.
Attainable Hardness

Tempering Temperature
°F
Hardness
HRC

400 48.5
600 46.5
800 43.5
1000 39.5
1200 26.5

Surface Treatments
CSM 2 may be nitrided by most commercial procedures, resulting in a surface hardness of 55-65 HRC. CSM 2 may also be carburized, resulting in a case hardness of 53/57 HRC.

Annealing

Heat to 1450/1500F, hold two hours at temperature.
Cool slowly (50F/hour maximum) to 1200F and hold until equalized.
Air cool to room temperature.

Typical annealed hardness: 187/223 BHN

Stress Relieving

Heat to temperature shown below. Hold two hours minimum. Air cool.

Stress relieving temperature:
Standard (293/321 BHN):
1000F

High-hard (321/353 BHN): 950F

Custom heat treated: 50F below tempering temperature used.


Welding
Welding procedures similar to 4140 or 4340 should be followed. P20, 4130 or 4140 filler material is acceptable.

Prehardened material: Preheat to 800/900F. Maintain above 800F during welding. Cool to hand warm (150F) after welding. Temper twice at 900F.

Customer heat treated material: Preheat and temper after welding at 50F below tempering temperature.

Physical Properties
Modulus of Elasticity ...................................................................30 psi x 106
Density .............................................................................................0.284 lb/in3
Thermal Conductivity .................(200F)................................ 24 BTU/hr/ft/°F
Thermal Expansion
       RT - 500F ...................................................................6.84 x 10-6 in./in./°F
       RT - 800F ..................................................................7.10 x 10-6 in./in./°F
       RT - 1000F ................................................................7.60 x 10-6 in./in./°F
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