What materials are most commonly used in making dies?

The most commonly used materials in making dies are tool steels, aluminum, and sometimes plastics or composites. Tool steels are specifically designed for use in industrial cutting tools and dies, offering excellent hardness, wear resistance, and toughness, which are essential properties for manufacturing processes. Aluminum is favored in some applications due to its lightweight nature and good machinability, making it a good choice for prototyping or low-volume production. The inclusion of plastics or composites also reflects the trend of using advanced materials to create dies that require less weight or specific resilience for certain applications. This combination of materials allows die makers to achieve optimal performance and efficiency in the production process, catering to various industrial needs.