Die-casting mold is a method of casting liquid die forging, a process completed on a dedicated die-casting die forging machine. Its basic process is: molten metal is first cast at low speed or high speed and filled into cavity of mold. Mold has a movable cavity surface. It is pressurized and forged along with cooling process of molten metal, which eliminates shrinkage of blank. Loose defects also cause internal structure of blank to reach forged state of broken grains. Comprehensive mechanical properties of blank are significantly improved.
Die-casting molds can be divided into hard molds and soft molds. Hard molds refer to conventional die-casting molds, which use hot-worked steel as core material. After quenching, hardness of mold steel increases to 46-50 degrees. Mold life is generally 50,000-150,000 mold times. Soft molds, also known as rapid molds, are mainly used for testing new products. Cold-worked steel is used as mold core material. Mold steel does not need to be quenched. Hardness is relatively low. Generally, hardness value is 28-32 degrees. Mold life is generally 500-2,000 mold times. .

Rapid development of China's die-casting mold companies started in the early 1990s, mainly with die-casting molds for motorcycle parts. After entering 21st century, with rapid development of China's automobile industry, some key domestic die-casting mold companies have focused on the market, actively responded to challenges, and increased investment in advanced, large-scale equipment and advanced testing equipment. They mainly produce medium-sized die-casting molds such as automobile brackets, clutches, oil pans, and manual transmissions, etc., which has driven rapid development of die-casting mold companies across country, greatly improved mold manufacturing levels and manufacturing capabilities. After 2010, China's automobile industry and related die-casting companies have purchased large-scale die-casting machines ranging from 2,000 tons to 4,400 tons, mainly producing automobile engine blocks, automatic transmission casings, and heavy-duty truck transmissions. Concept of ultra-large integrated automobile structural parts promoted by Tesla after 2018 and demand for parts produced by die-casting machines with a capacity of more than 6,000 tons have driven further development of die-casting mold companies. China's die-casting mold development cycle and production level have been significantly improved. It can not only meet needs of domestic large-scale and precision die-casting molds, but also export to Europe, the United States and other traditional die-casting mold powers. The total output value of China's die-casting molds in 2022 will reach 38.2 billion yuan.

 

Beilun, hometown of die-casting molds in China, has 1,300 professional die-casting mold manufacturing companies, and Beilun's die-casting mold sales account for more than 50% of China's total. China's die-casting mold manufacturers are concentrated in economically developed coastal provinces and cities. Die-casting mold production in Guangdong Province is mainly in Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Dongguan, Foshan and other places. Die-casting mold production in East China is mainly in Shanghai and Jiangsu Province; production of other die-casting molds is mainly concentrated in Jilin, Liaoning, Sichuan, Chongqing and other provinces with developed automobile industries.
Judging from import and export trade situation of China's die-casting mold industry, import volume has been declining year by year, indicating that China's die-casting mold industry is gradually maturing. While export volume has been increasing year by year, which can not only meet domestic demand, but also meet demand for external exports. According to data, China's die-casting mold industry import volume in 2022 will be 2066.4 tons, with an import value of US$42 million, and export volume will be 15134.45 tons, with an export value of US$186 million.       The top ten export destinations are United States, Mexico, India, Germany, Thailand, Japan, Hong Kong, China, Vietnam, Russia, and Morocco. Among them, United States accounts for the largest proportion, accounting for 16.13%, followed by Mexico, accounting for 13.44%, and the top ten export destinations account for 69.73%.

With rapid development of China's automobile industry, Ningbo's die-casting mold manufacturing companies have increased their investment in equipment, introduced a large number of international high-end processing equipment and testing equipment. Mold companies have actively carried out research on production qualification rate, reliability, production efficiency, and mold life of molds, increased investment in scientific research, further improved mold accuracy and mold reliability, and have undertaken many high-end molds for export. After more than ten years of rapid development, the overall level of mold manufacturing has been greatly improved, and some have reached international advanced level.

 

Chinese automotive die-casting mold companies can now fully meet domestic demand for automotive molds, can also export to traditional die-casting mold powers such as Europe and the United States. With rapid development of new energy vehicles in China, Chinese die-casting molds have also accumulated a lot of design and manufacturing experience in ultra-large integrated new energy vehicle structural parts molds, which can meet global demand for new energy vehicle die-casting molds.

As China's automobile market continues to expand, demand for die-casting molds in automobile manufacturing will also continue to increase. Automotive industry's demand for lightweight materials, such as aluminum alloys and magnesium alloys, will drive die-casting mold industry toward higher performance and lighter weight.

 

China's die-casting mold manufacturers will continue to develop and adopt high-performance materials to meet needs of various industries. This includes application of new technologies such as hot-end molds, high-temperature alloys, and ceramic coatings.