Looking for the Best Plastic Mold Steel in India? Here’s What You Need to Know

 

India has a very busy manufacturing sector and within that bustling landscape, plastic injection moulding plays a crucial role, helping to produce everything from everyday household items to car parts. At the very heart of this process are the moulds – those intricate tools that shape molten plastic into finished products. The performance of these moulds, as well as their quality, is directly tied to the material from which they are made. With the numerous options available from suppliers all over India, knowing which steel will be best for an application is essential.

Essential Qualities of Plastic Mould Steel

There are certain properties that come into play when you are evaluating mold steel. Your plastic mould steel supplier would start by explaining the following properties:

Hardness and Wear Resistance – This is key. The steel must be hard enough to be able to handle continuous flow and pressure of molten plastic, especially when dealing with abrasive materials like plastics that are reinforced with glass fibers. Possessing a high level of resistance to wear ensures that the
mould holds its surface finish and its precise dimensions all throughout the production run. This means there is reduced need for frequent replacement and repairs.

Polishability – Having a flawless surface finish is essential for many plastic products. The steel, provided by the plastic mould steel supplier, must be capable of achieving high polish in order to transfer that finish to the plastic item or part.

Resistance to Corrosion – There are some plastics that can be corrosive even when there is cooling water circulating within the mould. Steels able to resist corrosion prevent pitting and rust on the surface of the mould which would typically degrade the quality of the part or item and require costly repairs to the mould.

Machinability – Complex moulds involve the use of moulds having intricate shapes for creating plastic products with detailed features. The steel from the plastic mould steel supplier must be one that can easily and accurately be shaped.

Thermal Conductivity – During production runs, effective cooling of the mould is essential for maintaining the quality of the part being produced and the cycle time. Steels that possess heat conduction and shed heat quickly. This means the plastic is able to cool faster and shorten the production cycle.

Popular Choices for Plastic Mould Steel in India

In India, there are several grades of steel commonly used in plastic moulds with each having a distinct set of properties:

P20 Steel:  This is among the most common steel purchased form Indian plastic mould steel supplier for use in general-purpose plastic moulds. Typically, it is supplied as “pre-hardened” and does not require further heat treatment after machining which saves time.

NAK80 Steel:  This is a premium pre-hardened steel. It is well-known for having exceptional polishability and is the steel of choice for producing plastic parts that are transparent like optical lenses, or parts that require having a mirror finish.

420 Stainless Steel:  Any plastic mould steel supplier will recommend this steel where corrosion resistance is the top priority. It is best for moulding corrosive plastics like PVC or for moulds that will be stored in environments with high humidity.

Choosing the right
mould steel from your supplier is a decision that needs to be based on what the application requirements are. It is important to consider the type of plastic to be handled, the desired surface finish, and the expected volume of production.

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