Lifespan of Injection Molds for Different Materials
Injection molding is a widely used manufacturing process for producing plastic parts. The lifespan of injection molds can vary depending on the material used to make them. In this article, we will discuss the lifespan of injection molds for different materials.

Material | Production | Cycles | Description |
Heat-treated stainless steel | high | 1000K | Fast production speed |
Heat-treated tooling steel | medium to high | 500K | Suitable for parts requiring tight tolerances |
Tooling steel , such as 718, P20 | medium | 300K | Widely used in mass production |
Mild steel, aluminum or alloy | low | 10K | Suitable for parts with limited production |
Soft aluminum, epoxy resin | very low | 500 | Often used for prototyping |
In conclusion, the lifespan of injection molds varies depending on the material used to make them. Steel molds are the most durable and suitable for high-volume production, while Soft aluminum or epoxy resin molds are the least expensive but have the shortest lifespan. When choosing an injection mold material, it\’s important to consider factors such as production volume, cost, and required lifespan.