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Views: 0 Author: Site Editor Publish Time: 2024-08-19 Origin: Site
Choosing the right steel for injection mold tools is a critical decision that can significantly impact the quality and longevity of your molds. Making the wrong choice can lead to costly consequences such as broken cores or premature wear and tear. In this blog, we will explore the importance of selecting the appropriate steel for injection mold tools and provide insights into popular steel materials like P20, 718H, NAK80, H13 and S136.
Injection mold tools play a crucial role in the injection molding process. They are responsible for creating the final product and directly affect its precision, surface finish, cooling efficiency, and overall quality. Therefore, it is essential to pay close attention to the material used for manufacturing these molds.
Injection Mold Tools
Injection Molding Product
1. Steel Grades: Different steel grades are available for injection mold tools, each with its unique properties and characteristics. Understanding the specific requirements of your project will help you determine the appropriate steel grade to use.
2. Hardness: Hardness is a crucial factor in mold tool selection. Hardened steels offer improved wear resistance and lower long-term maintenance costs. Consider the production quantity and the materials to be molded when determining the desired hardness level.
3. Wear Resistance: Mold tool steel should have excellent wear resistance to withstand the abrasive nature of the molding process. Factors such as alloy components and internal stress affect the wear resistance of the steel. Opting for steel with a high level of wear resistance will enhance the mold's lifespan.
4. Toughness: The toughness of the steel is vital to ensure the mold can withstand high compression cyclical loadings without cracking or breaking. The material should be strong and durable enough to resist structural damage while being ductile enough to withstand impact loadings.
5. Machinability: Consider the machinability of the steel when choosing a material for mold tools. Steel with low hardness that can be easily machined may be suitable for some applications. Pre-hardened steel, which is easier to machine, is often used for mold inserts.
Here's a table summarizing the advantages, disadvantages, and best applications for the materials mentioned in the blog post:
Material | Advantages | Disadvantages | Best For |
P20 | Less expensive than Al-7075, can last up to 50K cycles, machines well, resistant to scratching, stands up to higher injection and clamping pressures | Not very resistant to chemically corrosive plastics like PVC | General purpose resins, abrasive resins with glass fibers, larger parts, higher injection and clamping pressures. Volumes up to 50K. |
718H | Good toughness and machinability, excellent polishing and texturing properties | Relatively high cost compared to other materials | High-volume production, engineering-grade plastics, corrosive resins, resins with glass fibers. |
NAK80 | Tougher than P20, machines faster, holds tight tolerances, more corrosion resistant | Requires careful cooling, higher cost compared to Al-7075 or P20 | Engineering-grade plastics, corrosive resins, high-volume production with high clamping pressures, resins with glass fibers. |
H13 | Excellent resistance to continuous heating and cooling cycles, easy to machine, can be polished to a mirror finish | Average heat transference ability, more expensive than Al-7075 or P20 | Aggressive resins, optical parts made of clear plastic like acrylic or polycarbonate, high volumes. |
S136 | Highly corrosion resistant, can be polished to the highest degree | Highest cost compared to other materials, lowest thermal efficiency | PMMA, PVC, PP, PC, and other optical-grade transparent resins. Best for surface finish as the primary consideration. |
Choosing the right steel for injection mold tools is crucial for ensuring the quality, durability, and performance of the molds. Consider factors such as hardness, wear resistance, toughness, and machinability when selecting the appropriate steel grade for your specific project requirements. Materials like P20, 718H, NAK80, H13 and S136 offer distinct advantages and can be tailored to meet different application needs. By making an informed decision, you can maximize the efficiency and success of your injection molding processes.
When it comes to selecting the ideal steel for your plastic injection molding projects, choosing the right material is of utmost importance. At Alpine Mold, we understand the significance of using the best-suited steel for your specific materials and applications. Our expertise in steel mold tooling allows us to guide you in making informed decisions and provide you with top-notch solutions tailored to your needs. Send us your part design drawing and get a free quote today!
