一,P20 steel: the most commonly used universal steel in injection molds
P20 steel is a low-alloy, pre-hardened steel that is quite popular in the injection molding business. P20 steel is normally 28–32HRC hard, which makes it easy to work with and polish. This makes it a great choice for injection molds that don't last very long.
P20 steel is a good choice since it is not too expensive, easy to work with, and can be made harder and more resistant to wear through nitriding or quenching treatment. P20 steel is a good choice for plastic parts that don't need to be made quickly or that don't need to be resistant to mold corrosion
二, H13 steel is the best choice for molds for high-temperature technical plastics.
H13 steel is a type of hot work die steel that is very durable, resists wear well, and can handle heat well. It is normally between 45 and 50 HRC hard, and heat treatment can make it even more durable. H13 steel is great for making high-temperature engineering plastic molds, like nylon (PA), polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), and polycarbonate (PC) plastic parts, because it can handle high temperatures and high pressures.
High-temperature plastics can easily cause the mold to bend and wear down during the injection molding process. On the other hand, H13 steel's thermal stability and wear resistance can help the mold survive longer. H13 steel is a little harder to work with than P20, but its ability to handle high temperatures and last a long time make it perfect for hot runner molds and molds used for large-scale production.
三,S136 steel and 420 stainless steel are the finest choices for molds that need to be shiny and resistant to rust.
When making injection molds, the steel used for the mold must have a very high quality surface for the clear plastic parts and the high gloss surface plastic components. Because they resist corrosion well and polish well, S136 steel and 420 stainless steel are now the best steels. S136 steel is a type of stainless steel that has been hardened before use. Its hardness is usually between 38 and 42HRC.
420 stainless steel is also resistant to rust and is appropriate for molds that will be in touch with water or chemical solvents for a long time. S136 and 420 stainless steel can make injection molded products with very smooth surfaces and no defects by using the right heat treatment and polishing methods. Choosing this kind of steel for injection mold designers can not only make plastic parts better,
四,718H steel and high wear-resistant steel: a guarantee for making molds in big quantities
When it comes to molds for high-yield plastic parts, such those used in cars and factories, mold life and wear resistance are very important. People utilize 718H steel and other steels that are very resistant to wear, including D2 and DC53, a lot in injection molds. 718H steel can be highly hard, with a hardness of 50 to 52 HRC. It is also very robust and resistant to wear, which makes it perfect for molds that need to be injected a lot.
Using steel that is resistant to wear can save mold maintenance costs and speed up production. For mold makers, high wear-resistant steel is hard to work with and expensive, but it has clear advantages when it comes to making a lot of plastic parts that are also high wear-resistant. By using the right heat treatment methods,
五,Nickel alloy steel is a high-end option that strikes
Nickel alloy steel is formed by adding nickel to P20 or 718H steel. This makes the steel tougher and makes it much more resistant to corrosion and better at polishing. Nickel alloy steel is mostly used to make injection molds for plastic parts that need to be very precise and shiny,
Mold makers can get the best of both worlds by employing nickel alloy steel: it makes the mold easier to work with and lasts longer while still giving the surface a high gloss finish. More and more high-end injection molds are using this kind of steel,
六,Cold working steel and strong alloy
Cold wrought steel and strong alloys are also necessary for injection molds, along with regular P20, H13, S136, and 718H steels. D2 and DC53 are two examples of cold working steels that are very resistant to wear. They are good for making plastic components or molds that need to endure a long time in the mold cavity. People often utilize hard alloy (tungsten steel) for local wear-resistant cores or inserts to make molds last longer and be more resistant to wear.
This sort of steel is hard to work with and expensive, but it can't be replaced in molds for plastic parts that need to be very wear-resistant and precise. Injection molds can get the best balance between wear resistance, processability, and cost by using a mix of different steels in a smart way.
