The hardness of automobile molds is a key material performance indicator, which directly affects the wear resistance, scratch resistance and overall durability of the mold in use. Mold hardness is affected by a variety of factors, which together determine the final hardness level.

Material selection: The hardness of the automotive mold is first affected by the selected material. Different materials have different hardness properties. Materials commonly used in mold manufacturing include tool steel, carbide, etc. These materials can obtain different degrees of hardness after heat treatment. Choosing the appropriate material is the first step to ensure that the mold hardness meets the design requirements.

Heat treatment process: Heat treatment is one of the key factors affecting the hardness of automobile molds. Quenching and tempering are the two main steps in heat treatment. During quenching, the rate of rapid cooling determines the formation of martensite and thus affects the final hardness. Tempering further affects the final hardness of the mold by controlling the temperature and time to adjust the balance between hardness and toughness.

Quenching medium: Different quenching media, such as water, oil, gas, etc., also have a significant impact on the hardness of the mold. Different media have different cooling rates, thus affecting the crystal structure and hardness formed during quenching. Selecting the appropriate quenching medium is an important factor in regulating mold hardness based on material type and requirements.

Tempering temperature and time: In heat treatment, tempering is to improve the toughness of the mold, but it also needs to ensure that the hardness does not decrease too much. The choice of tempering temperature and time directly affects the hardness level of the mold. High temperature tempering temperature and long time tempering will increase toughness but reduce hardness, while low temperature and short time tempering may increase hardness but reduce toughness.

Initial state of the material: The initial state of the material, including crystal structure, organization, etc., will also affect the final hardness. Different materials may have different hardnesses in their initial state, even under the same heat treatment process.

Processing deformation and residual stress: Processing deformation and residual stress of the material may be introduced during the mold manufacturing process, affecting the final hardness. These stresses may cause the mold to deform or crack during use, so these problems need to be solved through appropriate processes during heat treatment.

Surface treatment: Surface treatment methods, such as nitriding, carburizing, carbide coating, etc., will also affect the hardness of the mold. These surface treatments can increase surface hardness while increasing wear and corrosion resistance.