Grade VR 400
VR 400 is a premium-grade pre-hardened mould steel designed for high-performance applications in the plastic mould and tooling industry. It is an advanced upgrade over conventional grades like 1.2311 steel and 1.2738 steel, offering improved hardness, toughness, and surface finish capabilities. Supplied in a pre-hardened condition of 36–40 HRC, it provides enhanced wear resistance and eliminates the need for further heat treatment, reducing production time and distortion risks.
One of the key advantages of VR 400 is its excellent hardness uniformity, even in large sections up to 600 mm thickness. This ensures consistent performance, dimensional stability, and longer mould life, especially in large and complex tooling applications.
Despite its higher hardness, VR 400 maintains superior toughness, reducing the chances of cracking during machining and high-pressure moulding operations. Its refined microstructure enables outstanding polishability and surface finishing, making it ideal for applications requiring mirror finishes and precise texturing.
Additionally, VR 400 offers good machinability, even at higher hardness levels, along with nitriding capability (58–62 HRC surface hardness) to further improve wear resistance. With good weldability for repair and modification, VR 400 is a reliable solution for demanding industrial tooling applications.
Key Properties
- Pre-hardened (36–40 HRC)
- Excellent hardness uniformity across large sections
- Higher strength and wear resistance than standard P20 grades
- Superior toughness and crack resistance
- Outstanding polishability (mirror finish capability)
- Suitable for laser and chemical texturing
- Good machinability at higher hardness levels
- Nitriding capability (58–62 HRC surface hardness)
- Good weldability for repair and maintenance
Common Applications
- Large and medium-size injection moulds
- Blow moulds and PET moulds
- High-performance mould bases
- Automotive interior and exterior tooling
- Home appliance moulds
- Precision moulds requiring high polish or textured surfaces
PUROHIT STEEL is a trusted name in the tool steel industry, with humble beginnings dating back to 1965 and over three decades of expertise in delivering high-quality materials and solutions. Today, the group operates multiple well-established units, maintaining a vast inventory ranging from hot work and cold work tool steels to specialized materials. Known for reliability and strong technical support, PUROHIT STEEL caters to the diverse requirements of small, medium, and large-scale industries. The company specializes in manufacturing moulds and tooling components using premium grades such as Grade VR 400, which is ideal for applications including injection moulds (medium to large size), blow moulds, low-pressure die-casting dies, automotive moulds, tooling plates, extrusion dies, machine parts, shafts, and general tooling components. With a focus on quality, performance, and precision, PUROHIT STEEL continues to deliver durable and efficient tooling solutions.