Evaluating Conformal Cooling Circuit Hydraulics to Reduce Machine Cycle Time
Turbulent flow inside conformal cooling circuits requires managing additive channel roughness and diameter to prevent pump choking and inflated cycle times.
1.2343 Steel
Meaning
Chromium-molybdenum-vanadium alloyed hot-work tool steel provides high toughness and excellent through-hardening properties for pressure die casting and injection moulding applications. This material, often designated as 1.2343 steel, supports the production of large-volume polymer parts where thermal fatigue resistance is a primary requirement. It maintains its structural integrity under rapid thermal cycling during the injection and cooling phases.
The grade is specified when the tooling must withstand the abrasive nature of glass-reinforced resins without developing premature surface checks.
Thermal Conductivity
High thermal diffusivity facilitates efficient heat removal from the melt into the cooling channels of the tool. Using 1.2343 steel allows a moulder to achieve faster cycle times compared to lower-alloyed alternatives. This advantage remains consistent across both virgin and regrind material streams.
Efficient energy transfer reduces the risk of differential cooling, which helps maintain the dimensional stability of the final moulded part.
Hardening Response
Vacuum hardening followed by triple tempering establishes the final working hardness required for a specific polymer grade. A typical range of 48 to 52 HRC for 1.2343 steel balances wear resistance against the need for impact toughness. If the hardness deviates from the specification, the mould faces an increased risk of crack propagation or gate erosion.
Precision heat treatment ensures the core of the tool remains ductile while the surface resists the pressures of high-speed injection. The resulting microstructure provides a stable foundation for complex geometry.
Tooling Lifecycle
Nitriding the surface of the cavity increases resistance to the corrosive gases released by certain engineering polymers during processing. Surface treatments applied to 1.2343 steel extend the operational life of the mould by preventing premature pitting and cracking. Periodic stress relieving during long production runs mitigates the buildup of internal tensions.
These maintenance steps ensure the tool continues to meet part specifications over millions of cycles.