Materials for Tools and Machine Parts

Materials for Tools and Machine Parts

At Unika Denmark, we work with a wide range of tool steels, carefully selected for high-precision manufacturing and long service life.

For mould tools and punching/tooling components, we use well-known steel grades such as:

  • Corrax® (stainless and polishable)
  • Thyroplast 2312 (pre-hardened and easy to work with)
  • Orvar Supreme / H13 (heat-resistant hot-work steel)
  • K110 / D2 (wear-resistant cold-work steel)
  • Powder steels (e.g. Vanadis 23) and carbide for highly demanding wear parts

We advise on material selection, surface treatments, and coatings.

As part of our work, and in collaboration with our material suppliers, we provide guidance on steel alloys, heat treatment, and surface coatings that can significantly extend service life — especially for wear parts in tooling and components used in demanding production environments.

Material

Type

Key properties

Typical Applications

Workability

Corrax®

Stainless, martensitic steel

Stainless, corrosion-resistant, polishable, good dimensional stability after hardening

Mould tools for plastics, medical components

Good in soft condition

Orvar Supreme 1.2344

Hot-work tool steel


High heat resistance, toughness, wear resistance, good thermal shock resistance


Die-casting moulds, hot forming, extrusion tools

Moderate to good

Unimax

Hot-work tool steel

Polishable, heat-resistant, good toughness and ductility, high wear resistance


Mould tools, cutting tools

Moderate

Sleipner

Cold-work tool steel (high alloy)

Very wear-resistant, high hardness, good dimensional stability

Cutting tools, punching and forming tools, high-wear applications

Good (relative to hardness)

Vanadis 4E

PM steel (powder metallurgy)

Extremely wear-resistant, high hardness, very tough, uniform microstructure

Stamping, cutting, high-performance tool components

Good (relative to hardness)

Impax

Pre-hardened tool steel

Sulphur-alloyed for better machinability, good strength and toughness

Plastic mould tools (where high polish is not required)

Very good