40CrMnMo7 vs P20 / 40CrMnMo7: 100% composition overlap. Very similar materials, likely interchangeable for most applications.
40CrMnMo7 vs P20 / 40CrMnMo7
Side-by-side chemical composition and mechanical property comparison.
Overview
40CrMnMo7
1.2311
Pre-hardened plastic mold steel — delivered at 28-32 HRC, ready for machining without further heat treatment. The European equivalent of AISI P20. Cr-Mn-Mo composition for good through-hardenability in large sections. THE workhorse mold base material for injection molds, compression molds, and die casting dies. Good machinability, polishability, and photo-etchability. Used for mold frames, large injection molds, blow molds, and structural die components.
P20 / 40CrMnMo7
1.2311
Pre-hardened plastic mold steel (usually delivered at 28-34 HRC). The most widely used mold base steel globally. Good machinability in pre-hardened condition, good polishability. Used for injection molds, die-casting dies, extrusion tooling, and structural mold components.
| 40CrMnMo7 | P20 / 40CrMnMo7 | |
|---|---|---|
| Material Number | 1.2311 | 1.2311 |
| Category | Tool Steel | Tool Steel |
| Standard | EN ISO 4957 | EN ISO 4957 |
Chemical composition (wt%)
| Element | 40CrMnMo7 | P20 / 40CrMnMo7 | Overlap |
|---|---|---|---|
| C | 0.35–0.45% | 0.35–0.45% | OK |
| Si | 0.2–0.4% | 0.2–0.4% | OK |
| Mn | 1.3–1.6% | 1.3–1.6% | OK |
| P | 0–0.03% | 0–0.03% | OK |
Mechanical properties
| Property | 40CrMnMo7 | P20 / 40CrMnMo7 | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| tensile_strength | 900–1050 | 900–1100 | MPa |
| yield_strength | 700–800 | ≥ 700 | MPa |
| hardness_hrc | 28–32 | 28–34 | HRC |
Compatibility Assessment
40CrMnMo7 and P20 / 40CrMnMo7 have very similar compositions (100% overlap) and are likely interchangeable for most applications. Verify mechanical properties for your specific use case.
Automated assessment based on composition analysis
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 40CrMnMo7 the same as P20 / 40CrMnMo7?
40CrMnMo7 and P20 / 40CrMnMo7 have a 100% composition overlap. For most purposes, they can be considered similar.
Can I replace 40CrMnMo7 with P20 / 40CrMnMo7?
In many cases, yes. The compositions overlap significantly (100%). However, always verify mechanical property requirements and heat treatment compatibility for your specific application.
What is the difference between 40CrMnMo7 and P20 / 40CrMnMo7?
The main differences are in the following elements: overall alloying content. 40CrMnMo7 is a Tool Steel grade, while P20 / 40CrMnMo7 is a Tool Steel grade.
View full data for each material:
Data provided for reference only. Always verify against the applicable specification for critical applications.
All data is for reference only. Equivalents indicate similarity, not identity. Always verify against the applicable specification for safety-critical applications. materialref.com accepts no liability for decisions based on this data.