Mold Surface Hardening Technology
Molds are extremely important for the manufacturing industry since they are used for the production of various products. The surface of the molds should be subjected to hardening process in order to increase their life span and performance. This process is known as mold surface hardening and it has several methods of implementation.
One of the most commonly used mold surface hardening technologies is nitriding. In this process, the molds are subjected to a presence of nitrogen ions which helps to strengthen the surface layer of the molds and increase the hardness. Nitriding also improves the wear and corrosion resistance of the molds.
Another popular choice for surface hardening of molds is carburization. This process involves exposing the molds to carbon source which helps to increase the depth of the hardening layer. It also improves the surface fracture toughness of the molds. The main advantage of carburization is that it can be used to harden molds made from all types of materials, including those that are difficult to harden.
Welding-based hardening is a process which has been used for many years for the surface hardening of molds. In this process, welders use a welding process to harden the surface of the molds. This process is especially useful for molds which have complex designs or intricate patterns.
Another method of surface hardening of molds involves the use of laser. In this process, a laser beam is used to heat up the molds and modify the surface in terms of hardness and strength. This technique is particularly useful when hardening molds which have complex shapes.
Use of electron beam is yet another method which is used for hardening the surface of molds. In this process, an electron beam is used to heat the molds and modify the surface in terms of its hardness and strength.
One of the latest mold hardening technologies is the use of induction hardening. This method involves subjecting the molds to an electromagnetic current which causes them to heat up and modify the surface hardness. It is perfect for hardening molds which have complex surfaces.
Overall, mold surface hardening is an important technology to ensure better performance of molds and increase their life span. Several methods of mold surface hardening exist and these methods can be used for hardening molds made from different types of materials. It is best to choose the method which best suits the mold type and the part that needs to be harden in order to get optimum results.
