Hard alloy molds, known as the “mother of industry,” play a crucial role in modern production. But how did molds come into being, and when did they originate?

(1) Development of Productive Forces as the Social Foundation for Mold Creation
The use of molds is aimed at replicating items of the same shape, thereby enhancing production efficiency and quality. One of the founders of Marxism, Friedrich Engels, a German philosopher, thinker, and revolutionary, once stated, “Once there is a technical need in society, this need will drive science forward more than ten universities.” When society reaches a certain stage of development and people have a significant demand for using identical items, equipped with the corresponding technology and tools, molds naturally come into existence.

(2) The Discovery and Utilization of Copper as the Material Foundation for Hard Alloy Mold Creation.
Some scholars believe that the true birth of molds occurred during the Bronze Age, approximately 5000 to 7000 years ago. This era revolved around the use of copper as the primary material for crafting various production tools, daily utensils, and weapons, such as copper mirrors, pots, and swords. During this time, the basic conditions for the creation of hard alloy molds were already present, including metallurgical technology, mass production, and processing workshops. However, mold production during this period was still in its infancy and far from mature.

The advent of molds has marked a significant milestone in human history, revolutionizing manufacturing processes and propelling society towards technological advancements and increased productivity. Through the ages, the development and refinement of molds have continued to shape various industries, contributing to the ever-evolving world of modern production.”

The performance of hard alloy mold materials includes mechanical properties, high-temperature properties, surface properties, processability, and economic properties, among others. Different types of molds have varying working conditions, which result in distinct requirements for material performance.

1. For cold working molds, high hardness, strength, and good wear resistance are essential. Additionally, they should possess high compressive strength, good toughness, and fatigue resistance.

2. In the case of hot working hard alloy molds, besides general ambient temperature properties, they need to exhibit excellent corrosion resistance, tempering stability, high-temperature oxidation resistance, and heat fatigue resistance. It is also required that they have a small thermal expansion coefficient and good thermal conductivity.

3. The mold cavity surface should have sufficient hardness while maintaining both toughness and wear resistance.

Pressure die-casting molds operate under harsh conditions, demanding hard alloy molds to have excellent wear resistance, heat resistance, compressive strength, and oxidation resistance, among other properties.