Purohit Steel is a leading Grade VR 16 Stockist and Exporter in India, supplying NLMK Verona VR 16 pre-hardened stainless martensitic chromium-molybdenum plastic mould steel with verified chemical composition, mechanical properties and full traceability for mould makers, OEMs and tooling houses.
As an authorized stockist of NLMK Verona and an ISO-certified company established in 1965, we maintain ready stock of Grade VR 16 in round bar, flat bar and block form, with in-house bandsaw cutting, machining, grinding, drilling, gun drilling, EDM and wire-cut support for fast turnaround across India and export markets.
Table of Contents
- 1. What is Grade VR 16 Steel
- 2. Why Purohit Steel for VR 16
- 3. Comparison: VR 16 vs VR 16 HH vs VR 16 HH ESR
- 4. Chemical Composition
- 5. Mechanical & Corrosion Properties
- 6. Physical & Thermal Properties
- 7. Metallurgy: VR 16 vs Conventional 1.2316
- 8. Heat Treatment Guidelines
- 9. Available Forms & Sizes
- 10. Machining & Selection Notes
- 11. Applications & Uses
- 12. Industries We Serve
- 13. Related Products
- 14. Authorized Stockist Brands
- 15. Cities We Supply in India
- 16. Our Services
- 17. Frequently Asked Questions
- 18. About Purohit Steel
- Our Certifications
- Countries We Export Worldwide
- Export Packaging & Shipping
- Quality Inspection & Testing
- Latest Price List
- MOQ & Payment Terms
- People Also Search For
What is Grade VR 16 Steel?
Grade VR 16 is a pre-hardened stainless martensitic chromium-molybdenum plastic mould steel from the NLMK Verona VR Tool Steels range. Unlike standard Cr-Mn-Mo mould steels such as 1.2311 or VR 300, VR 16 carries roughly 14% chromium, giving it genuine stainless-grade corrosion resistance rather than the mild atmospheric protection of a plain alloy tool steel.
It is produced via EAF-LF-VD refining, forging, rolling and quench-and-temper heat treatment, and supplied in accordance with EN 10228-3 Class 4 and SEP 1921 Class E/e internal-soundness standards. VR 16 is delivered in a quenched-and-tempered (pre-hardened) condition of approximately 280-325 HB (29-35 HRC), so it can be machined directly without further heat treatment.
The manufacturer highlights two practical benefits of this corrosion resistance: lower mould maintenance cost, and higher production uptime because cooling channels inside the mould are not attacked by corrosion over the life of the tool — a common failure point in moulds run with aggressive plastics or humid production environments.
Note: “VR 16” is Purohit Steel's supply designation for this NLMK Verona VR Tool Steels product — it is not itself a DIN standard number. Based on its composition and the manufacturer's own published comparison, it belongs to the same stainless martensitic Cr-Mo family as DIN 1.2316 (X36CrMo17); see Metallurgy: VR 16 vs Conventional 1.2316 below.
Why Purohit Steel for Grade VR 16
- Ready Stock: Round bar, flat bar and block sizes held in inventory for immediate dispatch
- ISO-Certified Quality: Documented quality management since 1965
- Authorized Stockist: Sourced directly through NLMK Verona, the manufacturer of the VR Tool Steels range, and SeAH CSS
- Value-Added Machining: In-house bandsaw cutting, precision machining, grinding, drilling, gun drilling, EDM and wire-cut
- Technical Support: Assistance with grade selection between VR 16, VR 16 HH and VR 16 HH ESR
- Pan-India & Export Supply: Warehousing in Vasai with a sales outlet in Mumbai, serving customers across India and international markets
- Export-Ready Packaging: Palletised, moisture-protected packing suitable for both domestic transport and export shipment
Comparison: VR 16 vs VR 16 HH vs VR 16 HH ESR
VR 16, VR 16 HH and VR 16 HH ESR share the same base chemical composition and belong to the same stainless Cr-Mo mould steel family, but differ in supply hardness and, for the ESR variant, in production route. The table below helps you choose the right one.
| Factor | VR 16 | VR 16 HH | VR 16 HH ESR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Supply hardness | 280-325 HB (29-35 HRC) | 350-390 HB (38-42 HRC) | 350-390 HB (38-42 HRC) |
| Production route | EAF-LF-VD, forging, rolling, QT | EAF-LF-VD, forging, rolling, QT | Electro-slag remelting (ESR), forging, rolling, QT |
| Cleanliness / homogeneity | Standard mill cleanliness | Standard mill cleanliness | Enhanced — ESR reduces non-metallic inclusions |
| Best suited for | General corrosion-resistant plastic moulds, extrusion dies | Higher-wear corrosion-resistant tooling needing more hardness | Premium mould inserts and cavities needing maximum cleanliness and finish |
| Relative cost | Lowest of the three | Medium | Highest |
Grade VR 16 Chemical Composition
Typical composition per the NLMK Verona VR 16 / VR 16 HH technical datasheet (weight %):
| Element | Symbol | Composition (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Carbon | C | 0.28 |
| Manganese | Mn | 0.9 |
| Silicon | Si | 0.30 |
| Chromium | Cr | 14 |
| Molybdenum | Mo | 1 |
| Nickel | Ni | 0.7 |
| Phosphorus | P | 0.008 max |
| Sulphur | S | 0.003 max |
| Iron | Fe | Balance |
The same base composition is used for VR 16, VR 16 HH and VR 16 HH ESR; the variants differ in supply hardness and production route, not in alloy content.
Mechanical & Corrosion Properties of Grade VR 16
| Property | Typical Value / Rating |
|---|---|
| Hardness (supply condition) | 280 - 325 HB (approx. 29 - 35 HRC), quenched & tempered |
| As-quenched hardness (before tempering) | ~50 HRC (per manufacturer heat-treatment data) |
| Corrosion resistance | Excellent — stainless martensitic grade (~14% Cr) |
| Toughness | Good, with a homogeneous, carbide-free microstructure (see Metallurgy section) |
| Polishability | Good to high, suited to cosmetic and optical-grade cavity surfaces |
| Machinability | Improved relative to conventional 1.2316-type stainless mould steel |
Tensile and yield strength figures are not published in the manufacturer's VR 16 datasheet; mill test certificates (EN 10204 2.2 / 3.1) are available on request. Corrosion resistance, toughness, polishability and machinability are qualitative ratings from the manufacturer's technical documentation.
Physical & Thermal Properties
| Property | 20°C | 100°C | 250°C | 500°C |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thermal Expansion Coefficient (×10-6/K) | 10.5 | 10.5 | 10.9 | 11.7 |
| Thermal Conductivity (W/(m·K)) | 23.4 | 23.7 | 24.0 | — |
| Young's Modulus (GPa) | 218 | 213 | 205 | 180 |
Reference values per the NLMK Verona VR 16 / VR 16 HH technical datasheet. Density is typically ~7.7-7.8 g/cm³, standard for this class of high-chromium alloy steel.
Metallurgy: VR 16 vs Conventional 1.2316
NLMK Verona's own technical documentation includes a side-by-side microstructure comparison between conventional W1.2316 stainless mould steel and VR 16 at 50x magnification. Conventional 1.2316 shows a martensitic structure with visible carbides, while VR 16 shows a homogeneous microstructure without carbides.
This matters in practice: carbide banding in conventional stainless mould steel can create local weak points for corrosion pitting and can complicate fine polishing or texturing, since carbides and matrix polish at different rates. VR 16's more homogeneous structure is the basis for the manufacturer's claims of improved toughness, better polishability and improved machinability relative to standard 1.2316-type material, while retaining the same family's corrosion resistance.
This is a manufacturer-documented metallurgical comparison, not a claim that VR 16 is certified or sold as DIN 1.2316 — VR 16 remains Purohit's supply designation for the NLMK Verona product.
Heat Treatment Guidelines
| Process | Temperature | Holding Time | Cooling | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Supply condition | Quenched & tempered (pre-hardened) 280-325 HB — ready to machine, no further heat treatment normally required | |||
| Annealing | 770 - 820°C | Min. 2 min/mm | Furnace to 600°C, then air | — |
| Stress relieving | 550 - 600°C | Min. 2 min/mm | Air or furnace | Carry out after machining to remove residual stress |
| Hardening | Preheat 600-700°C, austenitize 990-1040°C | Min. 1 min/mm | Polymer or gas quench | Quenched hardness approx. 50 HRC |
| Tempering | Per target hardness | — | Air | Carry out after hardening; 2nd temper max 30°C below 1st |
As a Cr-Mo stainless martensitic steel, VR 16's tempering response shows a mild secondary-hardening effect in the 450-500°C range before hardness falls off sharply above ~550°C — typical of this steel family. Confirm the exact tempering schedule for your target hardness with our technical team.
Available Forms & Sizes
- Round Bars
- Flat Bars / Plates
- Blocks
- Custom sizes cut to drawing via in-house bandsaw cutting
Material is machined, ground, drilled and finished in-house through our precision machining, grinding, drilling, gun drilling, EDM and wire-cut facilities, so blocks can be supplied close to finished dimensions.
Machining & Selection Notes
- Cutting tools: As a stainless martensitic grade, VR 16 work-hardens more readily than plain Cr-Mn-Mo mould steel; use sharp, coated carbide tooling with consistent feed to avoid burnishing the surface.
- Corrosive-plastic cavities: Where PVC or other corrosive plastics are being moulded, VR 16's stainless composition reduces cavity and cooling-channel corrosion compared to standard mould steel.
- Cooling channels: Because the material itself resists corrosion, water-cooled cooling lines are less prone to scaling and rust-related flow restriction over the tool's life.
- EDM finishing: The pre-hardened condition is well suited to EDM cavity sinking without further heat-treatment concerns.
- Grade selection: Choose standard VR 16 for general corrosion-resistant mould work; step up to VR 16 HH where more hardness/wear resistance is needed, or VR 16 HH ESR where maximum cleanliness and cosmetic finish are critical — see the comparison table above.
Applications of Grade VR 16 Steel
Per the manufacturer's own positioning, VR 16 is intended for plastic moulds, particularly for corrosive plastics, dies for plastic extrusion, and moulds for household appliances. Purohit Steel supplies it across the following applications:
- Plastic injection moulds for corrosive plastics (e.g. PVC)
- Dies for plastic extrusion
- Moulds for household appliances
- Moulds run in humid or corrosive production environments
- Tooling where cooling-channel corrosion has historically shortened mould life
- Mould inserts and cavities needing good polishability alongside corrosion resistance
Grade VR 16 for Corrosive Plastics
PVC and certain other engineering plastics release corrosive by-products during moulding that attack the cavity surface and cooling channels of standard tool steel over repeated cycles. VR 16's stainless composition is intended specifically to reduce this maintenance burden.
Household Appliance Industry
VR 16 is used for moulds producing housings, panels and fittings for household appliances, where consistent surface finish and long tool life without corrosion-related downtime are commercially important.
Industries We Serve
- Plastic injection moulding industry
- Plastic extrusion industry
- Household appliance manufacturing
- Packaging manufacturing
- Consumer goods production
- Engineering & tooling workshops
Authorized Stockist
Grade VR 16 Supply Locations Across India
We supply Grade VR 16 steel across major industrial cities including Mumbai, Pune, Khopoli, Nashik, Aurangabad, Navi Mumbai, Palghar, Umbergaon, Vapi, Valsad, Daman, Vadodara, Ahmedabad, Rajkot, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Chennai, Cochin, Delhi, Gurgaon, Manesar and Sonipat — as well as to export markets.
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About Purohit Steel
Purohit Steel was established in 1965 by Shree Bherumalji Rajpurohit, a visionary in metallurgy. Over the decades, we have built a strong reputation as a trusted stockist and exporter of tool steel, plastic mould steel and engineering steel products across India.
As an ISO-certified company, we source premium materials from globally reputed manufacturers, including as an authorized stockist of NLMK Verona, and operate a modern warehousing facility in Vasai along with a sales outlet in Mumbai, enabling efficient storage, fast processing and timely delivery across India and export markets.
With decades of relationships with tool & die manufacturers and a customer-focused approach, Purohit Steel continues to deliver reliable, technically supported steel solutions for the mould-making industry.
Read more about Purohit Steel, view our certifications, or get in touch with our technical sales team.
Our Certifications
Purohit Steel operates as an ISO-certified company, backed by documented quality management, safety and compliance certifications that support reliable supply to domestic and export customers.
View all certificates in detail on our Certifications page.
Countries We Export Worldwide
Beyond India, Purohit Steel exports tool & mould steel grades to customers across the following countries and regions:
| Export Destinations | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UAE | Saudi Arabia | Oman | Bangladesh | Sri Lanka | Nepal |
| Vietnam | Thailand | Indonesia | Kenya | Nigeria | South Africa |
For export enquiries and destination-specific documentation, please contact our sales team.
Export Packaging & Shipping
Bars, flats and blocks are packed to withstand handling, transit and marine shipment, whether for domestic dispatch or export orders.
- Palletised and strapped packing for round bars, flat bars and blocks
- Moisture-protected wrapping to prevent surface corrosion in transit
- Seaworthy export packing with clear shipping marks and material identification
- Documentation support including packing lists, invoices and mill test certificates for customs clearance
- Shipment by road, rail or sea freight as per order requirement and destination
Quality Inspection & Testing
Every batch held in our stock is checked through documented inspection procedures before dispatch, so mould makers and OEMs receive material with verified, traceable quality.
- Chemical composition verification against mill certificates
- Hardness testing (Brinell / Rockwell) on received stock
- Dimensional inspection as per standard bar and block tolerances
- Visual and surface defect inspection
- EN 10204 2.2 / 3.1 mill test certificates provided on request
- Third-party inspection coordination available for export orders
Full material traceability is maintained from incoming stock through to dispatch for every order.
Latest Price List
Pricing depends on section size, quantity, form (round bar / flat bar / block) and current raw material rates. Indicative guidance is below — contact us for a firm, up-to-date quotation.
| Form | Typical Price Basis |
|---|---|
| Round Bar | Per Kg, based on diameter & length — contact for latest rate |
| Flat Bar / Plate | Per Kg, based on thickness & size — contact for latest rate |
| Block (cut to size) | Per Kg / Per Piece, based on drawing — contact for latest rate |
Prices are subject to change with raw material and freight costs. Share your required size and quantity via the quotation form or WhatsApp for the latest price.
MOQ & Payment Terms
Minimum Order Quantity: Flexible MOQ depending on size and form — from small trial quantities for tooling houses up to bulk orders for OEMs, subject to confirmation at enquiry stage.
Payment Terms: Advance payment / part-advance with balance before dispatch for domestic orders; T/T (bank transfer) or Letter of Credit (LC) for export orders, depending on order value and destination.