Material foundation
Tool steel and its near-surface zone provide the load-bearing foundation.
At a glance
The right function matters more than another layer.
Choose the right topography
Structure and surface energy influence contact, demoulding and deposit formation.
Add coatings where needed
Interlayers and functional coatings are added only when the application requires them.
Build the right process chain
The choice of a single treatment or a combination depends on the plastic, geometry and loading.
Especially relevant for
- Demoulding & deposit formation
- Wear & corrosion
- Appearance & part quality
- New or existing moulds
The surface toolkit
As much treatment as the task requires.
The components are selected to suit the plastic, geometry and loading. Not every application needs every layer.
Principle & application
The technology behind it.
01The mould surface as a process elementThe interface influences demoulding, service life and part quality.
The surface of an injection mould is much more than its final machined contour. As the interface between steel and plastic, it influences how stable, economical and reproducible the process is.
Demoulding forces, deposit formation, wear, corrosion, visual part quality, maintenance intervals and the process window are directly related to the condition of the surface. Even changes at the micro- and nanoscale can determine process reliability and the need for rework.
- Reducing demoulding forces
- Reducing deposits and adhesion
- Extending maintenance and cleaning intervals
- Improving wear and corrosion protection
- Stabilising demanding series production processes
- Maintaining dimensional accuracy, gloss level and part quality
- Optimising existing moulds
- Developing application-specific surface solutions
02New materials, new interactionsAdditives, fillers and optical requirements change the contact.
Additives, flame retardants, fillers, glass fibres and UV stabilisers, as well as requirements for transparency or chemical resistance, change the interaction between plastic and the mould surface.
Stronger adhesion, faster deposit formation, increasing demoulding forces and visual deviations become particularly critical for high-gloss surfaces, tight tolerances, multi-cavity moulds and sensitive applications.
03From problem to surface strategyUnderstand the task first, then select the treatment.
Gloss & Coating considers every application individually. The decisive factor is the function the surface needs to perform in the mould, rather than which standard coating is available.
Analysis, targeted selection and a combination of treatment and coating create a surface that supports demoulding, service life, maintenance and part quality.
- Demoulding
- Deposit formation
- Wear
- Friction
- Corrosion
- Appearance and dimensional accuracy
04The modular surface toolkitA single treatment or a coordinated combination, depending on the application.
Material, surface structure, hardness, friction behaviour and the functional layer are considered as a system. Depending on the problem, a single treatment may be sufficient, or a coordinated process chain can be used.
Existing moulds can be optimised retrospectively, while new moulds can be prepared for their required function during the design stage. A wear-resistant foundation, adapted topography and a functional layer can be combined in a targeted way.
- Base treatment
- Diffusion treatment
- Interlayer
- Functional layer
05Technical assessment for your applicationNot every application needs every layer
A toolkit, rather than a standard coating.
Tool material, surface structure, hardness, friction behaviour and the functional layer are considered as a system. Depending on the application, a single component may suffice, or a coordinated process chain can be used.
- Tool foundation
Tool steel and its near-surface zone provide the load-bearing foundation.
- Choose the right topography
Structure and surface energy influence contact, demoulding and deposit formation.
- Add coatings where needed
Interlayers and functional coatings are added only when the application requires them.
The right combination for the plastic, geometry, tool material and production process is decisive – from a single treatment to a coordinated process chain.
Selection depends on the plastic, tool material, geometry, temperature, mechanical loading, cleaning conditions and desired function.
Your application
What does your surface need to do?
The mould component, plastic and challenge are the starting point for our joint assessment.