A Buyer's Guide to 1.2083 (DIN 1.2083)

Buying 1.2083 (DIN 1.2083) is straightforward once the delivery condition, the section size and the inspection level are agreed in writing. Most problems with this grade family come from vague enquiries rather than from the steel itself.

What the grade is

DIN 1.2083 belongs to the stainless mould steel family. Its defining characteristic is that a 420 type martensitic stainless steel with about 13 percent chromium that takes a very high polish and resists water and polymer attack. That single property is the reason engineers select it, and it should drive everything else in the purchase specification.

Typical properties

In the condition in which it is normally supplied or used, the grade is quoted as supplied annealed around 200 HB and hardened to 48 to 52 HRC. These figures are only meaningful when they are tied to a section size, a test position and a heat treatment condition, so ask for all three.

Where it is used

The usual applications are optical and transparent part moulds, medical device moulds and lenses and light guides. Outside these applications the grade may still work, but the reason for choosing it usually disappears and a cheaper steel will do the same job.

Heat treatment and processing

Austenitise around 1000 to 1050 C, quench in oil or in a vacuum furnace with gas quenching, then temper twice. Higher tempering temperatures give a better polish but lower hardness.

What to specify when ordering

Insist on ESR or vacuum melting for optical work, because inclusions are what show up as comet tails on a polished surface. Ask for the inclusion rating and the polishability test result.

Hubei Keyspark Special Steel Co., Ltd. runs two 20-ton EAF furnaces, two 20-ton LF ladle furnaces, a 20-ton VD unit and a 5-ton ESR furnace, with open-die forging, 12 precision heat treatment furnaces, four vacuum annealing furnaces and over twenty machining centres. Annual capacity is about 15,000 tonnes.

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