A Brief Review on Hardened Tool Steel for Injection Moulds and Milling Operations
摘要
Hardened tool steel is essential in injection moulding and milling due to its superior wear resistance, hardness, and durability in demanding conditions. This review explores the properties and applications of several hardened tool steels, including AISI P20 (DIN 1.2311), P20 + S (DIN 1.2312) and P20 + Ni (DIN 1.2738), which are broadly employed in the production of plastic moulds and intricate metal components. This review analyses their performance in High-Pressure Injection Moulding (HPIM) and High-Speed Milling (HSM), focusing on thermal stability, machinability, and surface integrity. Moreover, recent advancements in end-mill materials and coatings – by Physical Vapour Deposition (PVD) and Chemical Vapour Deposition (CVD) – and machining cooling/lubricating environments are highlighted for improving Tool Wear (TW) resistance and extending Tool Lifespan (TL). Understanding tool steel selection is vital for optimising efficiency and reducing costs in precision engineering. This review also addresses key challenges and innovations in using hardened tool steels for high-performance applications.