The old-age battle when it comes to injection molds will definitely be steel or aluminum injection mold. The debate is fierce and many manufacturing companies take one side over the other. However, what do you think? Are aluminum injection molds making better than steel molds? If you are confused, we might help you make a decision.
We will compare both molds by using several factors. We hope to find a clear winner at the end of the day. Even if we don’t, we hope things will be much clearer to you by then.
Aluminum Injection Mold or Steel Mold?
How much does each mold cost?
To produce either mold, you will have to spend some cash. However, which one requires less spending? When you consider the initial spending needed to be carried, there’s no doubt that the aluminum injection molds clearly have an edge here.
While this is true, it’s also important to look at the bigger picture. The final cost of each mold might change drastically when other factors are considered. For example, the estimated lifespan of each mold might require you to spend more on the aluminum injection mold.
However, on average, the aluminum injection mold is less likely to cost more than steel.
Which mold is suitable for low volumes?
Again here, the aluminum injection mold just comes out on top. Low-volume runs are always better suited to aluminum injection molds and this is not going to change anytime soon. The reasons for this range from lower costs to the production of more pieces.
I’d recommend that you make sure that you choose a material that matches the volume you intend to use. Some might just be better with the steel mold.
Which mold is suitable for high volumes?
The steel mold comes out on top here. Unlike low volumes, the steel mold is better suited for high volumes and more runs.
The advantage of using a steel mold here is that you get a final product that is sturdy and can last for a long time. All you have to do is to ensure that you carry out proper maintenance.
Which mold cools and heats up faster?
It’s obvious who wins this round. The aluminum just has the perfect material for heating and cooling off quicker. The steel mold is always going to struggle when it comes to this category. The faster your material can cool off, the faster the cycle time is going to be.
When you use aluminum injection molds, you should be able to have a much faster output than with steel molds.
Final Verdict
So what do we think? We think the aluminum injection molds are overall the best type of mold. However, there are circumstances where the steel mold might be better.
However, when considering the facts and the big picture, it’s almost impossible to see how the steel molds come out on top.
So if you are considering what type of mold to use, we would recommend that you use aluminum injection molds for your business. It’s just the better option if we are being completely honest.
