With the advancement of technology and industrial development, polyetheretherketone (PEEK), a high – performance engineering plastic, is being used more and more widely in fields such as aerospace, medical devices, and electronics. However, the injection molding of PEEK poses extremely high requirements for mold steel. Selecting the appropriate mold steel not only affects the quality of injection – molded parts but also directly impacts production efficiency and costs. This article will provide a detailed introduction to the key points of selecting PEEK mold steel, helping you lay a solid foundation for high – performance injection molding.
I. PEEK Material Characteristics and Requirements for Mold Steel
PEEK material has excellent mechanical properties, heat resistance, wear resistance, corrosion resistance, and biocompatibility. However, these characteristics also pose challenges for mold steel. PEEK requires high temperature and pressure during the injection molding process, and its melting temperature is around 385℃. Therefore, mold steel must have the following characteristics:
- High – Temperature Stability: Mold steel should remain stable at high temperatures and not be prone to deformation or softening.
- Wear Resistance: The high hardness and wear resistance of PEEK material require mold steel to have good wear-resistant properties to extend the mold’s service life.
- Corrosion Resistance: PEEK material may release corrosive gases or liquids during the injection molding process, so mold steel needs to have good corrosion resistance.
- Good Thermal Conductivity: Mold steel should be able to quickly conduct heat to ensure uniform cooling of the injection – molded parts and avoid defects such as deformation or shrinkage cavities.
II. Key Points for Selecting PEEK Mold Steel
- Material Type:
- Hot – Work Mold Steel: Such as H13, H11, etc. These types of steel have good high – temperature strength and toughness and are suitable for PEEK injection molds.
- Stainless Steel: Some special stainless steels, such as 316L, also have good corrosion resistance and high – temperature stability, but the cost is relatively high.
- Alloy Steel: Some steels containing alloy elements such as nickel, chromium, and molybdenum, such as P20Ni, are also suitable for PEEK injection molds, but attention should be paid to their heat – treatment processes and costs.
- Balance between Hardness and Toughness:
- The hardness of mold steel should be moderate, which can resist the wear of PEEK material while maintaining a certain degree of toughness to prevent mold cracking or chipping.
- Generally, the hardness of mold steel should be in the range of HRC45 – 55.
- Surface Treatment:
- The surface of mold steel should be properly treated, such as nitriding or chrome plating, to improve its wear resistance and corrosion resistance.
- Nitriding treatment can increase the hardness and wear resistance of the steel surface while maintaining good toughness.
- Chrome plating can form a dense oxide film on the steel surface, effectively preventing the erosion of corrosive media.
- Balance between Cost and Performance:
- When selecting mold steel, its performance and cost should be comprehensively considered.
- Some high – end steels have excellent performance but relatively high costs, so a trade – off needs to be made according to actual needs.
III. Market Trends and Future Prospects
With the wider application of PEEK material in more fields, the demand for mold steel is also increasing. In the future, with the continuous progress of materials science and processing technology, PEEK mold steel will develop in the direction of higher performance and lower cost. At the same time, environmental protection and sustainability will also become important considerations in the selection of mold steel.
Conclusion
Selecting the appropriate PEEK mold steel is the key to ensuring the quality and production efficiency of injection – molded parts. In practical applications, the high – temperature stability, wear resistance, corrosion resistance, and thermal conductivity of steel should be comprehensively considered based on the characteristics of PEEK material and the requirements of the injection molding process. At the same time, attention should also be paid to the cost and sustainability of steel to achieve the best economic and social benefits. I hope this article can provide you with useful references and guidance in selecting PEEK mold steel.
Dongguan Yize Mould Co., Ltd. was founded in 2007, is headquartered in the manufacturing capital of Dongguan, convenient transportation and logistics, is engaged in many years in the design and manufacture of precision molds and precision medical injection moulding products manufacturer, the company focuses on the automotive connectors, medical products medical injection moulding, dust-free plastic medical injection moulding, custom medical injection moulding of PFA products such as design, precision mold manufacturing, medical injection moulding and assembly, after-sales service as a whole set of solutions. You can contact us via Email [email protected] or WhatsApp +86 13302615729 !
