Injection Moulding

The Importance of Injection Moulding

Injection moulding is the most widely used method for producing plastic parts—from everyday consumer goods to precision-engineered automotive and electronic components. Its growing use in the automotive sector helps manufacturers:

  • Reduce vehicle weight, lowering fuel demand and emissions
  • Accelerate design innovation and part integration
  • Decrease assembly time
  • Improve functionality with high-performance polymers

Why Mould Steel Selection Matters

Injection moulds are complex and expensive tools. Choosing the right tool steel affects:

  • Tool life and reliability
  • Cycle time and part quality
  • Surface finish and corrosion resistance
  • Maintenance frequency and total cost of ownership

What Makes an Excellent Mould Steel?

Whether from Uddeholm or BÖHLER, top-tier mould steels must meet demanding criteria:

Wear resistance under abrasive or fiber-filled plastics
Corrosion resistance when processing aggressive plastics like PVC
High toughness and fracture resistance for reliable performance
Hardness at elevated temperatures (up to ~400°C)
Excellent polishability for optical and high-gloss parts
Thermal conductivity to optimize cooling time

Available in large dimensions and custom formats: