Plastic Injection Moulding

Steels for plastic injection moulds

The use of filled and reinforced plastics has increased in recent years, particularly in the automotive industry, driven by the replacement of metal components. However, these additives cause significant abrasive wear on the steels used in moulds.

At the same time, the use of biocomposites and flame-retardant materials has also increased. These materials often release corrosive agents during the injection moulding process, contributing to the premature degradation of tools.

The new generation of steels for plastic injection moulds must therefore combine:

High resistance to abrasive wear and corrosion
The ability to achieve high-quality surface finishes, including optical polishing, whenever required by the application.

Böhler offers a wide range of solutions designed to ensure high levels of productivity.

Particularly noteworthy are steels produced using technologies such as ESR and VAR/VMR, which ensure extremely high levels of purity, with no inclusions or porosity – essential characteristics for applications requiring high-quality polishing and texturing.