General
Stavax ESR is a premium grade stainless tool steel with the following properties:

• good corrosion resistance

• excellent polishability

• good wear resistance

• good machinability

• good dimensional stability during heat treatment

The combination of these properties gives a steel with outstanding production performance. The practical benefits of good corrosion resistance in a plastics mould can be summarized as follows:

• Lower mould maintenance costs: The surface of cavity impressions retain their original finish over extended running periods. Moulds stored or operated in humid conditions require no special protection.

• Lower production costs: Since water cooling channels are unaffected by corrosion (unlike conventional mould steel), heat transfer characteristics, and therefore cooling efficiency, are constant throughout the mould life, ensuring consistent cycle times.

These benefits, coupled with the high wear resistance of Stavax ESR, offer the moulder low-maintenance, long-life moulds for the greatest overall moulding economy.

Note: Stavax ESR is produced using the Electro-Slag-Refining (ESR) technique, resulting in a very low inclusion content.

Applications
Whilst Stavax ESR is recommended for all types of moulding tools, its special properties make it particularly suitable for moulds with the following demands:

• Corrosion/staining resistance: i.e. for moulding of corrosive materials, e.g. PVC, acetates, and for moulds subjected to humid working/storage conditions.

• Wear resistance: i.e. for moulding abrasive/filled materials, including injection-moulded thermosetting grades. Uddeholm Stavax ESR is recommended for moulds with long production runs, e.g. disposable cutlery and containers.

• High surface finish: i.e. for the production of optical parts, such as camera and sunglasses lenses, and for medical containers, e.g. syringes, analysis phials.