Choosing the right material for plastic prototype molds directly impacts the mold’s durability, velocidade de produção, precisão, e custo. There is no “one-size-fits-all” option—materials vary based on project needs like production quantity, complexidade da peça, requisitos de precisão, e orçamento. Este artigo detalha os materiais mais comuns, seus prós e contras, casos de uso, and a step-by-step guide to select the best fit.
1. Common Materials for Plastic Prototype Molds (Comparison Table)
Below is a comprehensive overview of 6 widely used materials, including their key traits and application scenarios:
| Material Category | Specific Types | Key Advantages | Main Disadvantages | Ideal Application Scenarios |
| Aluminum Alloy | 6061, 7075 | – Lightweight (easy to handle) – Excellent machinability (produção rápida) – Good thermal conductivity (faster cooling for parts) | – Low hardness (wears quickly) – Not suitable for high-volume production | Small/medium-sized prototypes, trial samples, appearance parts (por exemplo, phone case prototypes) |
| Aço | P20, H13, 45# Aço | – High hardness (wear-resistant) – Suitable for medium/large molds – Heat-resistant (works with thermoplastics) | – Heavy (hard to transport/operate) – Long processing cycle – High cost | Functional parts, complex-structure prototypes, high-volume production molds (por exemplo, automotive component molds) |
| Baquelite (Phenolic) | Phenolic resin-based | – Low cost (budget-friendly) – Easy to process (fast mold making) | – Low strength (prone to breakage) – Poor wear resistance – Low precision | Low-precision, small-batch, non-functional prototypes (por exemplo, simple shape test parts) |
| Epoxy/Polyurethane Resin | Epoxy resin, poliuretano | – Prototipagem rápida (fast curing) – Suitable for soft molds – Low cost for small batches | – Low strength (not durable) – Not for high-precision or long-term use | Simple-shape prototypes, exterior parts, temporary molds (por exemplo, short-term trial production molds) |
| Copper/Beryllium Copper Alloy | Pure copper, beryllium copper | – Excellent thermal conductivity (fast part cooling) – Good precision retention | – High cost (expensive material) – Difficult to process (needs specialized tools) | Thin-walled parts, precision components, molds requiring fast cooling (por exemplo, high-precision electronic part molds) |
| 3Materiais de impressão D | Photosensitive resin, nylon | – No traditional machining needed (direct 3D printing) – Ideal for complex shapes – Fast prototyping for small batches | – Limited strength (not wear-resistant) – Not suitable for high-volume production | Complex-shape prototypes, small-batch rapid molds (por exemplo, intricate medical device prototype molds) |
2. Key Factors to Consider When Selecting Materials
To avoid 选错 materials (and wasting time/money), follow this 4-step, cause-effect driven guide—each factor directly influences your material choice:
Step 1: Define Production Quantity
- Small batches (1–50 parts): Choose aluminum alloy, epoxy resin, ou 3D printing materials (produção rápida, baixo custo).
- Large batches (500+ parts): Opt for aço (wear-resistant, durable enough for repeated use).
- Medium batches (50–500 parts): Balance with aluminum alloy (if precision needs are moderate) ou low-cost steel (if durability is critical).
Step 2: Assess Precision Requirements
- High precision (±0.01mm or tighter): Usar aço (stable dimension retention) ou copper/beryllium copper alloy (excellent precision for small parts).
- Moderate precision (±0.1mm): Aluminum alloy ou 3D printing with photosensitive resin works well.
- Low precision (±1mm): Baquelite ou epoxy resin is sufficient (budget-friendly).
Step 3: Evaluate Budget Constraints
- Low budget: Prioritize bakelite, epoxy resin, ou entry-level 3D printing materials (nylon/PLA-based).
- Medium budget: Aluminum alloy (balances cost and performance) is the best choice.
- High budget: Invest in aço (for durability) ou beryllium copper alloy (for high precision and cooling speed).
Step 4: Analyze Part Complexity
- Complex shapes (por exemplo, internal hollows, fine details): 3D printing materials (no need for traditional machining) ou aluminum alloy (easy to mill complex features).
- Simple shapes (por exemplo, flat panels, basic frames): Baquelite, epoxy resin, ou low-cost steel (fast processing, no extra complexity).
3. Yigu Technology’s Perspective
Na tecnologia Yigu, we believe plastic prototype mold material selection is a “balance of needs” rather than chasing a single “best material.” For most clients—especially startups and small businesses—aluminum alloy (6061) is the most versatile choice: it’s fast to machine, econômico, and precise enough for 80% of prototype needs. For high-precision projects (por exemplo, medical device prototypes), we recommend beryllium copper alloy for its cooling speed and precision retention. For budget-limited, simple tests, 3D printed photosensitive resin molds cut lead time by 50% compared to traditional materials. Our advice: Start by listing your top 2 priorities (por exemplo, “speed + low cost” or “precision + durability”)—this narrows down materials in minutes.
4. Perguntas frequentes (Frequently Asked Questions)
- P: Can I use 3D printing materials for plastic prototype molds that need to produce 100 parts?
UM: It depends on the material. Photosensitive resin molds are only suitable for 10–20 parts (low wear resistance), mas nylon-based 3D printing materials can handle 50–80 parts. Para 100 parts, we recommend aluminum alloy (more durable and cost-effective).
- P: Is steel always better than aluminum alloy for plastic prototype molds?
UM: Não. Steel is better for high-volume, high-wear scenarios, but aluminum alloy is superior for small batches: it’s 3x faster to machine, 1/3 the weight, e 50% mais barato. Choose steel only if you need 500+ parts or extreme durability.
- P: Why is beryllium copper alloy used for thin-walled plastic parts?
UM: Isso é excellent thermal conductivity (2x higher than aluminum) ensures thin-walled parts cool quickly and evenly, reducing warping or deformation. This is critical for thin parts (por exemplo, 0.5mm thick electronic casings) where shape accuracy is key.