1.2316 stainless plastic mould steel (EN 1.2316, printed name X38CrMo16) 1.2316 (X38CrMo16)

Iron balance

Also known as EN 1.2316, EN name X38CrMo16, R65

1.2316 is a stainless, martensitic chromium-molybdenum steel for plastic moulds (EN 1.2316; the name printed by Dörrenberg and Abrams is X38CrMo16).

8 sources · Updated 2026-10-24 · CC BY 4.0

Evidence level

2 of 5

Lab-measured

Recipe, share of the weight

  • Fe balance (the rest)Iron
  • C 0.33 to 0.45%Carbon
  • Si 0 to 1%Silicon
  • Mn 0 to 1.5%Manganese
  • P 0 to 0.03%Phosphorus
  • S 0 to 0.03%Sulfur
  • Cr 15.5 to 17.5%Chromium
  • Mo 0.8 to 1.3%Molybdenum
  • Ni 0 to 1%Nickel

Best for

Moulds and tools for PVC and other corrosive plastics that need a stainless, polishable face in the quenched and tempered condition (Aços Formosa; Dörrenberg; Abrams).

Weakest at

Corrosion data are qualitative: no test is printed, and the stated range is atmospheric, humid, weak acid and alkali service (Abrams). Machinability is rated only 2 on a 1 to 6 scale (Abrams).

Risk at a glance

  • People Low. Element records only; no SDS for the steel was read
  • If it fails Moderate. Hardness loss on heating into the soft-annealing range
  • Corrosion Moderate. Abrams says a passive chromium layer gives corrosion resistance in these environments.

Quick facts: 1.2316 (X38CrMo16)

Key properties of 1.2316 (X38CrMo16)
PropertyValueBasis
Density7.7 g/cm³1 sourced value
Tensile strength1,100 MPa1 sourced value
Hardness (Brinell)230 to 325 HB3 sourced values across conditions
Thermal conductivity23.5 W/(m·K)1 sourced value
Thermal expansion (CTE)10.5 to 11.7 ppm/K7 sourced values across conditions
Electrical resistivity0.6 Ohm*mm2/m1 sourced value

What is the density of 1.2316 stainless plastic mould steel?

1.2316 stainless plastic mould steel has a density of 7.7 g/cm³. The source and test conditions are listed in the properties table on this page.

What is the thermal conductivity of 1.2316 stainless plastic mould steel?

1.2316 stainless plastic mould steel has a thermal conductivity of 23.5 W/(m·K). The source and test conditions are listed in the properties table on this page.

What is the coefficient of thermal expansion of 1.2316 stainless plastic mould steel?

1.2316 stainless plastic mould steel has a coefficient of thermal expansion of 10.5 to 11.7 ppm/K. The range covers 7 sourced values across the tempers, forms and test conditions the sources report; room-temperature values are used where a source states a temperature.

What is the tensile strength of 1.2316 stainless plastic mould steel?

1.2316 stainless plastic mould steel has a tensile strength of 1,100 MPa. The source and test conditions are listed in the properties table on this page.

What is the hardness of 1.2316 stainless plastic mould steel?

1.2316 stainless plastic mould steel has a Brinell hardness of 230 to 325 HB. The range covers 3 sourced values across the tempers, forms and test conditions the sources report; room-temperature values are used where a source states a temperature.

What are the other names and codes for 1.2316 stainless plastic mould steel?

1.2316 stainless plastic mould steel is also written as EN 1.2316, EN name X38CrMo16, R65. Each code is printed in the source listed beside it in the designations table.

What is 1.2316 stainless plastic mould steel used for?

Uses recorded in the sources include Plastic moulds, extrusion tools and press moulds for corrosive plastics; Shafts, spindles, bolts, pistons, valves and pump parts; Injection and blow moulds for PVC and gas-releasing plastics.

Why it exists

1.2316 (EN 1.2316, printed as X38CrMo16) is a stainless, martensitic plastic mould steel. Dörrenberg says it is usually supplied quenched and tempered at 280 to 325 HB, and Aços Formosa points PVC and plastics that release aggressive gases to this grade rather than to the P-20 family. Abrams explains the chromium content (15.5 to 17.5 percent) as the source of its corrosion resistance, and says the molybdenum helps against pitting in chloride-containing environments.

Where it's used

Plastic moulds and tools for corrosive plastics

Dörrenberg lists tools and moulds for corrosive plastics and polymers, and for the food industry. Aços Formosa points PVC and gas-releasing plastics to 1.2316.

Extrusion and press tools

Abrams lists plastic moulds, extrusion tools, press moulds and fitting tools among 1.2316 applications.

Shafts, valves and pump parts

Abrams also lists shafts, spindles, bolts, pistons, valves, pump rods and compressor parts.

Recipe

Iron balance; 0.33 to 0.45 C, 0.0 to 1.0 Si, 0.0 to 1.5 Mn, 0.0 to 0.03 P, 0.0 to 0.03 S, 15.5 to 17.5 Cr, 0.8 to 1.3 Mo, 0.0 to 1.0 Ni (wt%, limits as printed in the Abrams standard-values table). Abrams gives the chromium limit as 15.5 to 17.5 percent in its text. Dörrenberg's typical analysis falls inside these limits, and its figures are not recorded because they print decimal commas.

1.2316 is an iron-based, stainless martensitic chromium-molybdenum steel. Abrams gives composition limits in wt% (its table has no unit line; the chromium limit is stated in percent in its text), and Dörrenberg prints a typical analysis inside those limits. It is usually supplied quenched and tempered at 280 to 325 HB and is hardened from 1020 to 1050 C (Dörrenberg).

What 1.2316 (X38CrMo16) is made of
IngredientShare of the weightWhat it does
Iron Fe balance (the rest) The matrix of the steel. Heat treatment changes its structure between martensite and tempered martensite.
Carbon C 0.33 to 0.45% Sets how hard the steel can become when quenched.
Silicon Si 0 to 1% Upper limit 1.0 percent as printed by Abrams; no role is stated by the source.
Manganese Mn 0 to 1.5% Upper limit 1.5 percent as printed by Abrams; no role is stated by the source.
Phosphorus P 0 to 0.03% Impurity, held to a maximum of 0.03 percent as printed by Abrams.
Sulfur S 0 to 0.03% Impurity, held to a maximum of 0.03 percent as printed by Abrams.
Chromium Cr 15.5 to 17.5% Gives the stainless behaviour; Abrams says 15.5 to 17.5 percent chromium makes it stainless in the classic sense.
Molybdenum Mo 0.8 to 1.3% Improves resistance to pitting and crevice corrosion in chloride-containing environments and adds to hardenability (Abrams).
Nickel Ni 0 to 1% Upper limit 1.0 percent as printed by Abrams; no role is stated by the source.

Weight shares are as printed in the sources.

What it can do

Hardness

Supplied quenched and tempered at 280 to 325 HB (Dörrenberg), or at most 325 HB (Abrams). Soft annealing gives at most 230 HB (Dörrenberg).

Strength

Tensile strength is 950 to 1100 MPa in the delivery condition, converted from hardness per DIN EN ISO 18265 (Dörrenberg); Abrams gives approx. 1100 MPa.

Density

Typical density is 7.7 g/cm3 at room temperature (Abrams).

Thermal

Thermal conductivity is 23.5 W/(m*K) at 23 C, and mean thermal expansion runs from 10.5 ppm/K (20 to 100 C) to 11.7 ppm/K (20 to 500 C) (Abrams).

Corrosion

The chromium layer resists weak acids and alkalis, humid and slightly aggressive air, and molybdenum helps against pitting in chlorides (Abrams). No test is printed.

Polish

Good polishability (Dörrenberg). Aços Formosa lists the 1.2316 ESR variant for greater cleanliness and polishability, which is a process variant and is not used as a value here.

Machining

Machinability is rated 2 on a 1 to 6 scale (Abrams).

How it compares

1.2316 sits with the Aços Formosa plastic-mould range. Its P-20 family (standard, high-machinability, nickel-alloyed and ESR variants) is the general mould choice, while 1.2316 is the stainless choice for PVC and plastics that release aggressive gases. Its printed numbers are a density of 7.7 g/cm3, a delivery hardness of 280 to 325 HB and a tensile strength of 950 to 1100 MPa (converted from hardness). The compare rows give its strength, hardness and density.

The same measurements for each material, so you can compare them. Each row names the key condition under the value; the full conditions and methods are in the numbered notes under Technical details. Other materials are shown beside it; each was measured under its own conditions, so open its page before comparing closely. Compare every grade in the family.

Benchmarks
Measurement1.2316 (X38CrMo16)D2 (UNS T30402, EN 1.2379)P20 (UNS T51620)1.2738 (P20+Ni)A2 (UNS T30102, EN 1.2363)H13 (EN 1.2344)
Thermal behavior and safety
Thermal conductivity at 23 C23.5 W/(m*K)320 W/mK32.5 W/m.K34.5 W/m.Kno data25 W/(m·K)
Physical and electrical
Density, typical at room temperature7.7 g/cm³17700 kg/m37.83 g/cm³7.8 g/cm³7.86 g/cm³7800 kg/m3
Working hardness, approximate, up to 48 HRC30 to 48 HRC1163 HRC30 HRC30 to 35 HRCno data45 HRC
Delivery hardness, maximum< 325 HB12210 HB280 to 325 HB300 HB< 241 HB< 229 HB
Specific electrical resistance at 20 C0.6 Ohm*mm2/m13no datano datano datano datano data
Hardness in the delivery condition, quenched and tempered280 to 325 HB15210 HB280 to 325 HB300 HB< 241 HB< 229 HB
Hardness after soft annealing, maximum< 230 HB17210 HB280 to 325 HB300 HB< 241 HB< 229 HB
Other measurements
Tensile strength, approximate1100 MPa2no data965 to 1030 MPa993 MPano data1820 MPa
Average coefficient of thermal expansion, 20 to 100 C10.5 ppm/K412.3 ppm/K12.6 ppm/K11.5 ppm/K10.7 ppm/K12.6 ppm/K
Average coefficient of thermal expansion, 20 to 200 C10.8 ppm/K512.3 ppm/K12.6 ppm/K11.5 ppm/K10.7 ppm/K12.6 ppm/K
Average coefficient of thermal expansion, 20 to 300 C11.1 ppm/K612.3 ppm/K12.6 ppm/K11.5 ppm/K10.7 ppm/K12.6 ppm/K
Average coefficient of thermal expansion, 20 to 350 C11.3 ppm/K712.3 ppm/K12.6 ppm/K11.5 ppm/K10.7 ppm/K12.6 ppm/K
Average coefficient of thermal expansion, 20 to 400 C11.5 ppm/K812.3 ppm/K12.6 ppm/K11.5 ppm/K10.7 ppm/K12.6 ppm/K
Average coefficient of thermal expansion, 20 to 450 C11.6 ppm/K912.3 ppm/K12.6 ppm/K11.5 ppm/K10.7 ppm/K12.6 ppm/K
Average coefficient of thermal expansion, 20 to 500 C11.7 ppm/K1012.3 ppm/K12.6 ppm/K11.5 ppm/K10.7 ppm/K12.6 ppm/K
Machinability rating on a 1 (low) to 6 (high) scale2 -14no datano datano datano datano data
Tensile strength in the delivery condition, converted from hardness950 to 1100 MPa16no data965 to 1030 MPa993 MPano data1820 MPa

Why choose it, and why not

Good for

  • PVC and plastics that release aggressive gases, which Aços Formosa and Abrams both point to 1.2316.
  • Moulds and tools that need a polished stainless face (Dörrenberg: good polishability; Aços Formosa: ESR variant for polishing).
  • Food-industry tools, which Dörrenberg lists as an application.

Watch out for

  • Corrosion is qualitative: no test is printed, and the stated range is atmospheric, humid, weak acid and alkali service (Abrams).
  • Reheating into 760 to 800 C softens the block to at most 230 HB (Dörrenberg).
  • Machinability is rated 2 on a 1 to 6 scale (Abrams), so plan machining time.
  • The name X36CrMo17 that buyers search for is not printed by any page read; check the printed EN name X38CrMo16 (see gaps).

1.2316 is a stainless, pre-hardened plastic mould steel that Aços Formosa and Abrams point to for PVC and other corrosive plastics. It is supplied at 280 to 325 HB, polishes well, and has a typical density of 7.7 g/cm3 and a thermal conductivity of 23.5 W/(m*K) at 23 C. Its corrosion data are qualitative, and no SDS, modulus or yield strength was read for the steel.

Technical details

For scientists and researchers. Everything above comes from the record below: every number with its method, its conditions and its source.

Other names and standards

The same grade under other systems, as datasheets and standards print them. Each code was checked against the page it comes from.

Other names and standards
SystemCodes
EN1.2316
EN nameX38CrMo16
Trade nameR65

Notes

The method, full conditions and any caveat for the numbered rows above.

Notes for the numbered rows
#MeasurementMethodConditionsCaveat
1Density, typical at room temperatureDensity section, typical value as printed (the Abrams page prints www.stahlwissen.de as its source for its tables)condition typical value as printedtemperature room temperature (as printed)heat treatment not stated—
2Tensile strength, approximateTensile strength section, as printed (approx. 1100 N/mm2)condition approximate value as printed; heat treatment and test temperature not statedunit in source N/mm2 (printed as N/mm 2)The page does not say whether the figure is for the delivery condition or a hardened state, so it is kept as an approximate value.
3Thermal conductivity at 23 CHeat conductivity section, sentence and table, Value W/(m*K) at 23 C, as printedtemperature 23 C (as printed)heat treatment not statedunit in source W/(m*K)—
4Average coefficient of thermal expansion, 20 to 100 CAverage thermal expansion coefficient table, as printedtemperature 20 to 100 C (as printed)heat treatment not statedunit in source 10-6 m/(m*K) (same number as ppm/K)—
5Average coefficient of thermal expansion, 20 to 200 CAverage thermal expansion coefficient table, as printedtemperature 20 to 200 C (as printed)heat treatment not statedunit in source 10-6 m/(m*K) (same number as ppm/K)—
6Average coefficient of thermal expansion, 20 to 300 CAverage thermal expansion coefficient table, as printedtemperature 20 to 300 C (as printed)heat treatment not statedunit in source 10-6 m/(m*K) (same number as ppm/K)—
7Average coefficient of thermal expansion, 20 to 350 CAverage thermal expansion coefficient table, as printedtemperature 20 to 350 C (as printed)heat treatment not statedunit in source 10-6 m/(m*K) (same number as ppm/K)—
8Average coefficient of thermal expansion, 20 to 400 CAverage thermal expansion coefficient table, as printedtemperature 20 to 400 C (as printed)heat treatment not statedunit in source 10-6 m/(m*K) (same number as ppm/K)—
9Average coefficient of thermal expansion, 20 to 450 CAverage thermal expansion coefficient table, as printedtemperature 20 to 450 C (as printed)heat treatment not statedunit in source 10-6 m/(m*K) (same number as ppm/K)—
10Average coefficient of thermal expansion, 20 to 500 CAverage thermal expansion coefficient table, as printedtemperature 20 to 500 C (as printed)heat treatment not statedunit in source 10-6 m/(m*K) (same number as ppm/K)—
11Working hardness, approximate, up to 48 HRCStandard values, Working hardness line, as printed; the Working hardness section repeats approx. 30 HRC to 48 HRC on deliverycondition approx. 30 HRC in the delivery condition, up to 48 HRC as printed (the page does not tie 48 HRC to a heat treatment)scale HRCThe two Abrams statements do not agree on whether 48 HRC is a delivery or hardened value; both are kept as printed.
12Delivery hardness, maximumStandard values, Delivery condition line, as printed: max. 325 HBcondition delivery condition, as printed (max.)scale HB—
13Specific electrical resistance at 20 CSpecific electrical resistance table, Value row, as printed; the page notes that electrical conductivity is the reciprocaltemperature 20 C (as printed)heat treatment not statedunit in source (Ohm*mm2)/m as printed, not converted—
14Machinability rating on a 1 (low) to 6 (high) scaleMachinability section, as printed (a rating, not a test value)scale 1 (low) to 6 (high), as printedheat treatment not statedRating scale from the datasheet; no machining test is printed.
15Hardness in the delivery condition, quenched and temperedCondition of delivery row, as printed: quenched and tempered, 280 - 325 HBcondition quenched and tempered, supplied condition (as printed)scale HB—
16Tensile strength in the delivery condition, converted from hardnessConverted from hardness by the datasheet using DIN EN ISO 18265 Table A.1, not a tensile test; kept as calculatedcondition quenched and tempered, delivery conditionunit in source N/mm2 (printed as 950 - 1100 N/mm2)—
17Hardness after soft annealing, maximumHeat treatment table, Soft annealing row, as printed: max. 230 HBcondition soft annealed at 760 to 800 C, cooled in the furnacescale HB—

Corrosion and compatibility

What happens when it meets other materials and environments.

Corrosion and compatibility
EnvironmentConcernWhat happens
Atmospheric, humid and slightly aggressive environments, weak acids and alkalis moderate Abrams says a passive chromium layer gives corrosion resistance in these environments.1
Chloride-containing environments (pitting and crevice attack) not rated Abrams says molybdenum improves resistance to pitting and crevice corrosion in chloride-containing environments.2
PVC and plastics that release aggressive gases during moulding moderate Aços Formosa points these plastics to the prehardened stainless grade 1.2316.3
Corrosive plastics and polymers, and the food industry (application statement) moderate Dörrenberg describes the grade as stainless martensitic steel with increased chromium for improved corrosion resistance.4
Corrosion details
#EnvironmentDetailsTest conditions
1 Atmospheric, humid and slightly aggressive environments, weak acids and alkalis The 1.2316 page says a passive, self-healing chromium layer gives corrosion resistance in atmospheric and slightly aggressive environments, weak acids and alkalis, and humid environments. No exposure time, concentration or test is printed. The moderate rating is an assistant judgement from this wording, not a test result. basis datasheet statementtest none printed
2 Chloride-containing environments (pitting and crevice attack) No chloride level, temperature or test is printed. The rating is unknown because the page gives no number. basis datasheet statementtest none printed
3 PVC and plastics that release aggressive gases during moulding Aços Formosa describes 1.2316 as prehardened stainless steel with good corrosion resistance for PVC and plastics that release aggressive gases. It gives no corrosion test. The moderate rating is an assistant judgement. basis supplier product guidancetest none printed
4 Corrosive plastics and polymers, and the food industry (application statement) The datasheet lists tools and moulds for corrosive plastics and polymers and for the food industry. It prints no corrosion test. The moderate rating is an assistant judgement from this wording. basis datasheet statementtest none printed

Risks and side effects

Hazards to people, what happens when a cell overheats, and how the material is handled and stored.

For people

The only hazard records are PubChem entries for the pure elements chromium, molybdenum and manganese. No safety data sheet for the 1.2316 bar was read in this run.

Chromium
PubChem gives the signal word Danger for elemental chromium. About half of its reports say it does not meet GHS criteria, and H317 (allergic skin reaction) appears for 20.7 percent of reports.
Molybdenum
PubChem lists H315 (skin irritation), H319 (eye irritation) and H335 (respiratory irritation) for elemental molybdenum, and says 57.4 percent of its reports do not meet GHS criteria.
Manganese
PubChem lists H360 (may damage fertility or the unborn child) and H372 (organ damage on repeated exposure) for elemental manganese.

In service

Abrams and Dörrenberg describe corrosion resistance without test data. Their stated range is atmospheric, humid and weak acid or alkali service, and Abrams says molybdenum helps against pitting in chlorides.

Plastics
Aços Formosa points PVC and plastics that release aggressive gases to 1.2316, not to the P-20 family.
Reheating
Heating into 760 to 800 C and furnace cooling gives at most 230 HB, so an unplanned reheat softens the block (Dörrenberg).
Chlorides
Abrams gives no chloride level or temperature for its pitting statement.

Heat treatment

The temper sets the hardness, and the datasheet gives separate soft-anneal, stress-relief and hardening ranges.

Hardening
Harden from 1020 to 1050 C, with oil, pressure gas, air or a hot bath as the cooling medium (Dörrenberg).
Stress relief
500 to 550 C for the quenched and tempered condition; 600 to 650 C is possible in the soft-annealed condition (Dörrenberg).
Tempering
The Dörrenberg tempering diagram has no values in its text layer and was not read, so no hardness-by-temperature values are recorded.

Test details
The original wording and numbers from the sources, for readers who want them.

Failure risks

Failure risks
FailureTrigger and consequence
Hardness loss on heating into the soft-annealing rangemoderate severityReheating to 760 to 800 C followed by furnace cooling, which is the soft-anneal cycleSoft annealing gives at most 230 HB, against 280 to 325 HB in the delivery condition, so an unplanned reheat into that range softens the block (Dörrenberg).

Handling and storage

  • Buy in the quenched and tempered condition at 280 to 325 HB (Dörrenberg), or at most 325 HB (Abrams).
  • Soft anneal at 760 to 800 C in the furnace with furnace cooling, which gives at most 230 HB (Dörrenberg).
  • Stress relieve at 500 to 550 C in the quenched and tempered condition; in the soft-annealed condition 600 to 650 C is possible (Dörrenberg).
  • Harden from 1020 to 1050 C, cooling in oil, pressure gas (N2), air or a hot bath, then temper following the tempering diagram (Dörrenberg; the diagram has no values in its PDF text layer and was not read).

Mitigations

  • Chromium at 15.5 to 17.5 percent gives a passive, self-healing chromium layer (Abrams).
  • Molybdenum improves resistance to pitting and crevice corrosion in chloride-containing environments (Abrams).

Supply and geography

How common the raw materials are and where they come from.

Chromium

World resources are greater than 12 billion tons of shipping-grade chromite, heavily concentrated (95%) in Kazakhstan and southern Africa (USGS 2026). US net import reliance was 79 percent of apparent consumption in 2025e.

Top producers (2025)
South Africa 45.1%, Turkey 17.6%, Kazakhstan 13.7%, India 5.9%, Brazil 3.9%, Zimbabwe 3.9%, Finland 3.7%
Recycling
Recycled chromium in reported stainless-steel scrap receipts accounted for 21 percent of US apparent consumption in 2025 (USGS 2026).
Substitutes
Chromium has no substitute in stainless steel, the leading end use, or in superalloys (USGS 2026).

Molybdenum

Identified resources are about 5.4 million tons in the United States and about 20 million tons in the rest of the world, and world reserves were 17,000 thousand metric tons in 2025e (USGS 2026). Molybdenum is used principally as an alloying agent in steel, cast iron and superalloys. The United States was a net exporter, not an importer, in each year from 2021 to 2025e.

Top producers (2025)
China 37.3%, Chile 16.2%, United States 15.4%, Peru 15%, Mexico 6.5%
Recycling
Molybdenum is recycled as a component of catalysts, ferrous scrap and superalloy scrap; recycled material may be as much as 30% of the apparent supply (USGS 2026).
Substitutes
There is little substitution for molybdenum in steels and cast irons; potential substitutes include boron, chromium, niobium and vanadium in alloy steels, and tungsten in tool steels (USGS 2026).