New requirements for high-speed steel (HSS) used in large-scale dies under the trend of Giga Casting for New Energy Vehicles (NEVs)

Release Date: November 22, 2025

Abstract: This article explores the challenges and opportunities brought by revolutionary changes in automotive manufacturing technology for upstream mold materials, analyzing the strategic response of high-performance high-speed steel.

As New Energy Vehicles (NEVs) increasingly adopt large-scale integrated die-casting technology to reduce vehicle weight and improve production efficiency, the molds used to manufacture these massive body structural components are facing unprecedented tests. This has set new performance benchmarks for the core material of these molds—high-speed steel for large-scale modules.

Firstly, larger mold dimensions necessitate that materials possess excellent hardenability and cross-sectional hardness uniformity. This ensures consistent performance across the entire mold and prevents premature failure. Secondly, the intense thermal erosion of the mold cavity by molten aluminum alloys during the die-casting process requires materials with superior thermal stability, thermal fatigue resistance, and high-temperature hardness. Finally, to withstand immense clamping forces, the mold material itself must offer an optimal balance of high strength and toughness.

"Hengshui  Minghang Metal Material Trade Co., Ltd. identified this trend early on," stated the Marketing Director. "Our high-vanadium, high-cobalt series high-speed steel was specifically developed to handle such high thermal loads and severe wear conditions. For instance, our V-Co 10 series incorporates increased vanadium content to form high-hardness vanadium carbide wear-resistant phases, while utilizing cobalt to enhance the matrix's high-temperature strength and red hardness. This series has been successfully trialed in body structural component projects by several die-casting mold manufacturers, effectively extending mold service life."

In the face of technological iteration, Hengshui Minghang Metal Material Trade Co., Ltd. will continue to collaborate closely with downstream mold manufacturers to jointly develop material solutions that meet future manufacturing demands. Do you have questions regarding material selection for specific applications? Please feel free to consult our technical team via the [Contact Us] page.