Stamping mold materials play a crucial role in the manufacturing industry, offering numerous advantages like high production efficiency, excellent material utilization, precision, and complexity in industrial production processes. As the demand for precision and complexity in stamping products continues to grow, the importance of these materials becomes even more pronounced.

These materials find extensive use in the production of precision instruments, including automobiles, aircraft, electronics, and home appliances. The selection of the appropriate type of mold material and the right processing technology are essential in ensuring the quality of molds used in production.

Classification of Stamping Mold Materials

In industrial production, several common stamping mold materials are used, each catering to specific needs:

Carbon Element Steel: Carbon element steel stands out for its relatively low cost and price, along with excellent processing ductility and high strength after heat treatment. It exhibits optimal wear resistance during usage. Carbon steels are suitable for smaller-sized molds with common shapes and low compressive loads.

Low-Alloy Steel: Low-alloy steel is based on carbon element materials with additional alloying elements to enhance its properties. It offers a higher yield point of structure, superior strength, and better corrosion resistance compared to ordinary carbon steel. It is ideal for structural parts and other applications requiring strength and light weight.

High Carbon and High Cadmium Steel: This material excels in hardness, strength, and wear resistance during the production process. It also demonstrates good object stability, hardenability, and permeability. Additionally, it is less susceptible to deformation caused by high temperatures during heat treatment.

Steel-Bonded Cemented Carbide: This type of cemented carbide exhibits higher hardness and wear resistance, making it a durable material suitable for mass-production molds. It is produced using iron powder as a binder, along with hard phases like titanium carbide and tungsten carbide through powder metallurgy.

Surface Treatment of Stamping Mold Materials

Apart from requiring high strength and toughness in the base metal, the surface properties of the mold significantly impact production efficiency and mold life. Essential mold performance requirements include corrosion resistance, wear resistance, and fatigue resistance.

Surface treatment technology for stamping molds falls into two main categories: chemical surface treatment and physical surface treatment.

Chemical Surface Treatment

Chemical surface treatment includes two primary methods: surface diffusion infiltration and coating.

Surface diffusion infiltration involves placing the mold in a controlled environment with a specific temperature and active medium, allowing the medium to penetrate the surface of the mold. This process alters the chemical composition and structure of the mold surface, enhancing wear and corrosion resistance. Methods like nitriding, carburizing, and carbonitriding are used for surface diffusion infiltration.

Surface coating, on the other hand, involves applying a layer of new material to the mold's surface to improve its performance. Techniques like electroless plating, ion implantation, and chemical vapor deposition are employed in chemical surface coating.

Physical Surface Treatment

Physical surface treatment strengthens the mold material's surface using physical methods, thereby increasing load force, corrosion resistance, and improving mechanical and physical properties. Technologies like laser surface quenching and high-frequency quenching are used to enhance hardness, strength, wear resistance, and corrosion resistance of the mold's surface.

Conclusion

The choice of stamping mold materials and their surface treatment significantly impact the quality and performance of molds used in the manufacturing industry. With the right selection and treatment, manufacturers can achieve greater efficiency, precision, and longevity in their production processes. For specific stamping needs, KENENG offers professional metal stamping services, producing tailored products and components. Don't hesitate to contact us if you require our expertise.