Latrobe LSSâ„¢ 420 MQ Plastic Mold Steel (AISI 420)

TLS 420 MQ is a highly-refined, Mold Quality stainless steel that is engineered to exhibit excellent polishability, good corrosion resistance, and good wear resistance. TLS 420 MQ is melted using an electric-arc furnace, is refined by the argon-oxygendecarburization (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. TLS 420 MQ is a good choice of a 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 TLS 420 MQ a goodchoice for mold cavities that require photoetching/texturizing or the highest, lens-quality polished finishes. Timken sold Latrobe in December 2006. They are now Latrobe Specialty Steels Co.