Choosing the right steel for die casting molds is critical to mold lifespan, qualidade de peça, and production efficiency. Die casting molds face harsh conditions—high temperatures (up to 600°C for aluminum alloy casting), repeated thermal cycles, and mechanical wear—so the steel must balance alta resistência, resistência ao desgaste, heat fatigue resistance, e Processabilidade. This article breaks down the best steel options for different scenarios, compares their key properties, and provides actionable selection tips to solve your mold material challenges.
1. Core Performance Requirements for Die Casting Mold Steel
Before exploring specific steel types, it’s essential to understand the non-negotiable performance metrics—these form the basis of your selection. Use the table below to clarify priorities based on casting material and production volume:
| Métrica de desempenho | Definição | Criticality for Different Scenarios |
| Heat Fatigue Resistance | Ability to withstand repeated heating/cooling without cracking | ★★★★★ (Aluminum/ magnesium alloy casting: 300–600°C thermal cycles) |
| Resistência ao desgaste | Resistance to surface abrasion from molten metal flow | ★★★★☆ (Produção de alto volume: >100,000 ciclos) |
| Resistência | Ability to resist impact and deformation under high pressure | ★★★★☆ (Large molds or thick-walled parts: high clamping pressure) |
| Processabilidade | Ease of machining (moagem, perfuração) e polimento | ★★★☆☆ (Complex mold cavities: requires fine surface finish) |
| Resistência à corrosão | Resistance to chemical attack from molten metal or coolants | ★★★☆☆ (Zinc alloy casting: molten zinc may corrode steel) |
2. Top Steel Types for Die Casting Molds: Comparação & Casos de uso
Not all steels are equal—each type excels in specific scenarios. Below is a detailed breakdown of the most widely used options, organized by “general-purpose” and “specialized” categories for clarity.
2.1 General-Purpose High-Performance Steels (Most Common Choices)
These steels balance all key properties and work for 80% de aplicações de fundição sob pressão (Por exemplo, aluminum alloy molds, medium-volume production).
| Tipo de aço | Principais características | Vantagens | Casos de uso ideais |
| H13 Steel | – Excellent high-temperature hardness (HRC 48–52 after heat treatment)- Stable chemical composition- Good impact resistance and processability | – Balances toughness and wear resistance- Suitable for complex-shaped molds- Low maintenance cost | Large molds (Por exemplo, Blocos de motor automotivo), core components (núcleos de mofo, guide columns), aluminum alloy die casting (100,000–500,000 cycles) |
| H11 Steel | – High thermal strength (retains hardness at 600°C)- Strong hardness adjustability (HRC 45–50)- Easy to machine and repair | – Frequent maintenance-friendly (low rework difficulty)- Performs well in medium-temperature cycles | Large molds requiring regular maintenance (Por exemplo, household appliance casings), zinc alloy die casting |
| 8407 Aço | – Outstanding thermal stability (minimal distortion after heat treatment)- Good cutting performance- Alta resistência ao desgaste (better than H13 for small features) | – Delivers consistent part quality over long runs- Suitable for precision molds | Small and medium-sized molds (Por exemplo, electronic component housings), high-hardness requirements (HRC 50–54), aluminum/magnesium alloy casting |
Exemplo: H13 vs. 8407 for Aluminum Alloy Molds
For a 500,000-cycle aluminum wheel mold:
- H13 Steel: Menor custo inicial, easier to machine complex spoke details, but may show minor wear after 400,000 ciclos.
- 8407 Aço: 15–20% longer lifespan (até 600,000 ciclos), better surface finish retention, but 10–15% higher material cost.
2.2 Specialized Steels for Unique Requirements
These steels address extreme needs—such as high precision, long lifespan, or corrosion resistance—where general-purpose steels fall short.
| Tipo de aço | Principais características | Vantagens | Casos de uso ideais |
| S136 Steel | – Excelente resistência à corrosão (conteúdo de cromo >13%)- Good high-temperature stability- Polishes to mirror-like surface finish (Rá <0.02 μm) | – Prevents zinc alloy corrosion- No surface rust from coolants | Small/medium molds with high surface finish requirements (Por exemplo, cosmetic parts), zinc alloy die casting |
| NAK80 Steel | – Nickel-alloy tool steel- High resistance to high-temperature deformation- Superior cutting performance (no heat treatment needed for machining) | – Maintains dimensional stability in 400–500°C cycles- Reduces machining time by 20–30% | Moldes de alta precisão (Por exemplo, Altas do sensor), parts requiring tight tolerances (<± 0,01 mm) |
| 718 Aço | – Optimized microstructure via special annealing- Alta dureza (HRC 48–52) e resistência à fadiga- Good weldability for mold repairs | – Long lifespan for medium-volume production (200,000–300,000 cycles)- Low risk of cracking during repair | Small/medium precision parts (Por exemplo, quadros de smartphone), aluminum alloy die casting |
| 8418 Aço | – Alta pureza (low sulfur content)- Low silicon, high molybdenum ratio- Excellent erosion and crack resistance | – Withstands rapid cold-heat cycles (Por exemplo, furniture handle electroplating molds)- No surface cracking after 300,000+ ciclos | Molds requiring long-term durability, parts with frequent temperature fluctuations |
2.3 Premium Steels for Extreme Demands
For molds with ultra-high lifespan or product quality requirements (Por exemplo, peças aeroespaciais, 1,000,000+ ciclos), these advanced steels are worth the investment:
- DIEVAR Steel: Refined via electroslag furnace (ESR) processo, it has enhanced toughness and ductility. Inhibits crack propagation, making it ideal for large, high-pressure molds (Por exemplo, heavy-duty automotive components).
- DAC55 Steel: Similar to H13 but with higher chromium content, it offers 25% better heat fatigue resistance. Perfect for aluminum alloy casting with frequent thermal shocks.
- 1.8433 Aço: A European-grade hot-work tool steel with excellent wear resistance and processability. Used in precision molds for medical device parts.
3. Other Optional Materials: Prós & Contras
If budget or production scale limits your choice, consider these alternatives—but be aware of their trade-offs:
| Tipo de material | Principais características | Prós | Contras | Casos de uso ideais |
| Liga de aço | Alta resistência, good hardness (HRC 45–50) | – Suitable for high-demand parts (auto components)- Better mechanical properties than carbon steel | – Difficult to machine (requires specialized tools)- Alto custo (2–3x more than H13) | Alta qualidade, high-output production (100,000+ ciclos) |
| Aço de alta velocidade (HSS) | Good cutting performance, low material cost | – Acessível (1/3 the cost of H13)- Easy to machine for simple molds | – Vida útil curta (≤50,000 cycles)- Easy wear and deformation at high temperatures | Small/medium batches (≤10,000 parts), ordinary precision requirements |
| Aço fundido | Excelentes propriedades mecânicas, baixo custo | – Barato (1/4 the cost of H13)- Suitable for large molds (Por exemplo, industrial machine housings) | – Long processing cycle (3–4x longer than H13)- Baixa precisão (tolerâncias >± 0,1 mm) | Grande, low-precision die castings (Por exemplo, heavy equipment frames) |
4. Step-by-Step Guide to Select Die Casting Mold Steel
Follow this linear, actionable process to choose the right steel for your project—no more guesswork:
Etapa 1: Define Core Requirements
Comece respondendo 3 critical questions:
- What metal are you casting? (Aluminum = prioritize heat fatigue; zinc = prioritize corrosion resistance)
- What’s the production volume? (High volume >500,000 cycles = choose 8418/DIEVAR; baixo volume <10,000 = HSS/cast steel)
- What’s the mold complexity? (Complex cavities = prioritize processability; Por exemplo, H13/NAK80)
Etapa 2: Balance Performance and Cost
Use the “cost-performance ratio” rule:
- Para 80% of standard applications (alumínio, 100,000–300,000 cycles), H13 Steel is the best value—it meets all requirements without premium costs.
- For precision or corrosion needs, upgrade to S136 (zinco) ou NAK80 (high-precision aluminum)—the extra cost is offset by reduced rework and longer lifespan.
Etapa 3: Verify Processability
Ensure the steel can be machined to your mold’s design:
- Complex cavities with fine details: Avoid hard-to-machine alloys (Por exemplo, DAC55) unless necessary—opt for NAK80 or H13.
- Large molds requiring welding repairs: Escolher 718 Aço (Excelente soldabilidade) to avoid cracking during maintenance.
Perspectiva da tecnologia YIGU
Na tecnologia Yigu, we believe die casting mold steel selection is about aligning material properties with real-world production needs. Para a maioria dos clientes (Automotivo, eletrônica de consumo), Recomendamos H13 Steel as the starting point—it balances cost, desempenho, and processability for aluminum alloy molds. Para peças de alta precisão (Por exemplo, 5G device housings), we upgrade to NAK80 to ensure dimensional stability in 400–500°C cycles. For zinc alloy clients, S136 Steel is non-negotiable to prevent corrosion. We also factor in production volume: for runs >500,000 ciclos, we suggest 8418 Aço—its crack resistance cuts mold replacement costs by 30%. Em última análise, the goal isn’t just choosing “good steel”—it’s choosing steel that maximizes mold lifespan and minimizes total production cost.
Perguntas frequentes
- Can I use H13 Steel for zinc alloy die casting?
H13 Steel works for low-volume zinc casting (<50,000 ciclos) but is not ideal for long runs. Molten zinc can corrode H13 over time, leading to surface defects. For zinc alloy molds, S136 Steel (with high chromium content) is better—it resists corrosion and maintains surface finish.
- How much longer does DIEVAR Steel last compared to H13?
DIEVAR Steel, refined via ESR, has 30–40% longer lifespan than H13 in high-temperature aluminum casting. Por exemplo, an H13 mold may last 300,000 ciclos, while DIEVAR can reach 400,000–450,000 cycles—ideal for high-volume production where mold replacement is costly.
- Is high-speed steel (HSS) a viable option for small-batch die casting?
Sim, HSS is suitable for small batches (<10,000 peças) with ordinary precision. It’s cheap and easy to machine, making it cost-effective for prototypes or low-volume runs. No entanto, avoid HSS for high-temperature casting (aluminum/magnesium)—it wears quickly, leading to inconsistent part quality after 5,000–10,000 cycles.