Steel 2316 · heat-treated state
Steel 2316 Prehard
Properties of the Prehard condition, compared with the other 2316 tempers.
Standard stock condition: machine the cavity directly, no distortion-prone heat treatment, good polish and corrosion resistance for PVC/POM moulds.
What is 2316 Prehard?
2316 Prehard is 2316 heat treated to Prehard — standard stock condition: machine the cavity directly, no distortion-prone heat treatment, good polish and corrosion resistance for PVC/POM moulds. 2316 Prehard has a yield strength of 850 MPa (123 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,020 MPa (148 ksi) — stronger than 88% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 12% and the elastic modulus is 215 GPa (31.2 Msi). 2316 Prehard has a density of 7.7 g/cm³ (0.278 lb/in³), lighter than 95% of steel grades. It melts at 1,420°C (2,588 °F). Annealed is the default condition FabDigit quotes; Prehard is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Good corrosion resistance — 55/100, better than 99% of steel grades
- Polishes to a fine finish — 75/100, better than 94% of steel grades
- High strength — 850 MPa (123 ksi), better than 88% of steel grades
Limitations
- Poor heat conductor — 20 W/m·K (11.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 96% of steel grades
- Low electrical conductivity — 2.7 % IACS, worse than 96% of steel grades
- High embodied carbon — 3.4 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 92% of steel grades
- Limited formability — 15/100, worse than 87% of steel grades
- Limited ductility — 12%, worse than 84% of steel grades
2316 Prehard properties
Typical room-temperature values for 2316 Prehard — 15 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every 2316 temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the steel grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
2316 Prehard has a density of 7.7 g/cm³ (0.278 lb/in³), lighter than 95% of steel grades. It melts at 1,420°C (2,588 °F).
Mechanical16
2316 Prehard has a yield strength of 850 MPa (123 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,020 MPa (148 ksi) — stronger than 88% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 12% and the elastic modulus is 215 GPa (31.2 Msi).
Thermal6
2316 Prehard is rated for continuous service to 400°C (752 °F). It conducts heat at 20 W/m·K (11.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 96% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 10.5 µm/m·K (5.83 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
2316 Prehard conducts electricity at 2.7 % IACS, worse than 96% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (55/100), better than 99% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 2316 Prehard takes about 42 MJ of energy and emits 3.4 kg of CO₂ — more than 91% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 45%.
Manufacturability7
2316 Prehard's machinability is fair (42/100, worse than 72% of steel grades); weldability poor (30/100); formability poor (15/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other 2316 tempers and conditions
2316 is also supplied in 4 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the 2316 overview.
- AnnealedDefaultChoose for blocks that will be rough-machined, deep-cavity cut or EDM'd and then hardened by the toolmaker.520 MPa yield · 21 HRC
- Q&TPick when higher wear resistance and maximum corrosion resistance are needed (glass-filled or highly abrasive corrosive plastics); accept distortion and lower toughness.1,350 MPa yield · 48 HRC
- PrehardStandard stock condition: machine the cavity directly, no distortion-prone heat treatment, good polish and corrosion resistance for PVC/POM moulds.850 MPa yield · 31 HRC
Working with 2316 Prehard
Is 2316 easy to machine?
Machine like a martensitic stainless: rigid setups, sharp coated carbide, positive rake, high feed/low speed and generous coolant to avoid work hardening and built-up edge; EDM and then stone/polish the recast layer away.
Can 2316 be welded?
TIG/laser repair with matching 1.2316 filler at 250–350 °C preheat, low heat input, slow cool and a stress-relief/temper at ~30 °C below the last temper to avoid cracking and soft zones.
Can 2316 be formed, bent or molded?
Not a cold-forming grade; hot work 1050–850 °C followed by slow furnace cooling, then soft anneal ~750–800 °C before machining.
What surface finishes work on 2316?
Excellent diamond-paste polish and photo-etch response (best in ESR quality); nitriding, PVD or hard chrome are optional wear layers but nitriding reduces the stainless surface corrosion resistance.
2316 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 |
|---|---|---|
| CX38CrMo16 per DIN/EN tool steel practice | 0.33 – 0.45 | 0.38 |
| Si | ≤ 1 | 0.4 |
| Mn | ≤ 1.5 | 1 |
| P | ≤ 0.03 | — |
| Smax; low-S for polishing grades | ≤ 0.03 | — |
| Cr | 15 – 17 | 16 |
| Mo | 1 – 1.3 | 1.1 |
| Nisome producers add ~0.4–0.9 Ni for hardenability | ≤ 1 | 0.5 |
| Voptional, producer dependent | ≤ 0.3 | — |
| Fe | balance | — |
2316 Prehard — frequently asked
What is 2316 Prehard used for?
2316 Prehard is typically used for medical device mould cavities, optical mould plates, cavity and core plates for corrosive resins, mould bases in humid production environments, food-contact and packaging mould inserts and photo-etched cosmetic housing cavities. In short: workhorse mold-cavity plate.
What is the yield strength of 2316 Prehard?
2316 Prehard has a typical yield strength of 850 MPa (123 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,020 MPa (148 ksi) — stronger than 88% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.
Is 2316 Prehard easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (42/100, worse than 72% of steel grades). Machine like a martensitic stainless: rigid setups, sharp coated carbide, positive rake, high feed/low speed and generous coolant to avoid work hardening and built-up edge; EDM and then stone/polish the recast layer away.
Can 2316 Prehard be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (30/100). TIG/laser repair with matching 1.2316 filler at 250–350 °C preheat, low heat input, slow cool and a stress-relief/temper at ~30 °C below the last temper to avoid cracking and soft zones.
What surface finishes work on 2316 Prehard?
Excellent diamond-paste polish and photo-etch response (best in ESR quality); nitriding, PVD or hard chrome are optional wear layers but nitriding reduces the stainless surface corrosion resistance.
Can 2316 Prehard be formed, bent or molded?
Not a cold-forming grade; hot work 1050–850 °C followed by slow furnace cooling, then soft anneal ~750–800 °C before machining.
What is the maximum service temperature of 2316 Prehard?
2316 Prehard is rated for continuous use to about 400°C (752 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between 2316 Annealed and 2316 Prehard?
Annealed is the default condition — choose for blocks that will be rough-machined, deep-cavity cut or EDM'd and then hardened by the toolmaker. Prehard: standard stock condition: machine the cavity directly, no distortion-prone heat treatment, good polish and corrosion resistance for PVC/POM moulds. Yield strength is 520 MPa in Annealed versus 850 MPa in Prehard.
Can FabDigit make parts in 2316 Prehard?
Yes — 2316 Prehard is available for CNC machining with instant online pricing. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- DIN EN ISO 4957 / Werkstoffnummer 1.2316 (X38CrMo16) — DIN/ISO (2018)
- Corrosion-resistant plastic mould steel 1.2316 / M310 datasheet — voestalpine Böhler Edelstahl (2022)
- Mould steel 2316 / 420 modified data sheet — Buderus Edelstahl / Schmolz+Bickenbach (2020)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Specialty Handbook: Tool Materials — ASM International (1995)
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.