Selection of mold materials

The selection of mold materials is crucial to the performance and service life of the mold. The correct material selection can not only improve the working efficiency of the mold, but also ensure the quality and consistency of the product. The following is a comprehensive analysis of the selection of mold materials:

General performance of mold materials

The selection of mold materials needs to consider its general properties, including strength, toughness, wear resistance, thermal conductivity and processing performance. These performance indicators directly affect the performance of the mold under various working conditions.

Principles of mold material selection

Material toughness: Selecting materials with good toughness can effectively avoid problems such as mold breakage or deformation, and at the same time can resist external shock and vibration during use

Material hardness: The harder the material, the less likely it is to wear, but it is also more difficult to process and cool, so it is necessary to weigh and choose according to specific needs when selecting

Material processing performance: Although some special materials have good mechanical properties, they are difficult to process and require more professional equipment and technology. Therefore, the processing performance and cost of the material should be considered when selecting

Application environment: Different application environments have different requirements for materials. If used in a humid environment, you need to choose a material that is rust-resistant; if used in a high temperature environment, you need to choose a high temperature resistant material

Quality and cost: The quality of mold materials directly affects the user's production efficiency and cost. Therefore, in addition to considering factors such as performance and life, it is also necessary to select appropriate materials based on budget and economic conditions.

Common mold materials and their applications

High-speed steel (HSS): Suitable for high-precision molds, with good wear resistance and corrosion resistance. Carbon steel: Low price and high hardness, but easy to be oxidized and rusted, need to pay attention to protection and maintenance when using.

Alloy tool steel: With higher hardness and strength, it can be used in high-load and high-wear environments.

Aluminum and copper: Widely used in the manufacture of light and precision molds, with good thermal conductivity, electrical conductivity and processing performance.

Selection tips for special mold materials

For plastic molding molds, it is necessary to consider preventing scratches and gluing when selecting, and avoid selecting materials with the same organizational structure. Under special circumstances, one side can be plated or nitrided to make the two surfaces have different surface structures.

When selecting the mold material of the riveting machine, it is necessary to comprehensively consider factors such as toughness, hardness, processing performance, application environment and cost according to the specific use needs and purposes.

Application of surface strengthening technology in mold materials

Surface strengthening technology is one of the methods to improve the performance of mold materials. By using surface engineering technology to strengthen the mold surface (including modification and coating), the performance of the mold surface can be effectively improved without any impact on the performance inside the mold.

As for injection molds, the mold materials mainly choose 45# steel, P20 mold material, 718 mold material, 718H mold material, S136 mold material and H13 mold material. This is determined by the plastic product material, product structure and mold life.

Ideally：

45# steel can be injected 10,000 times

P20 mold material can be injected 200,000 times

718 mold material can be injected 300,000-500,000 times

S136 mold material can be injected 600,000-800,000 times

H13 mold material can be injected 1 million times

In summary, the selection of mold materials is a complex process that requires comprehensive consideration of factors such as the chemical composition of the material, the performance requirements of the mold, and the processing technology. Correct material selection can not only improve the working efficiency of the mold, but also ensure the quality and consistency of the product.