Method for manufacturing a mold core coating
A mold construction is provided having a layered configuration including a substrate or mold core preferably of ampcoloy, an intermediate or primer coat preferably of electroless nickel, and an outer mold surface layer made of a high strength metal preferably of titanium. The mold construction is particularly advantageous for use in molding glass objects. The electroless nickel undercoat or primer coat serve to adhere the softer ampcoloy substrate to the high strength outer layer of titanium alloy. The electroless nickel also provides some elasticity for the outer layer of titanium alloy layer to reduce cracking and flaking of the titanium alloy. The layer of titanium alloy provides good strength and durability to withstand abrasive contact with the molten glass, while the ampcoloy still facilitates high thermal conductivity for reducing mold cycle times.
1 . A method of manufacturing a mold, said method comprising the steps of:
creating a mold core of a desired shape to confirm to a shape of an article to be molded, said mold core being made of a copy based alloy;
applying a primer coating of an electroless nickel over the mod core at a desired thickness; and
applying an outer layer of a titanium alloy over the primer coating at a desired thickness, wherein the primer coating adequately binds the mold core and the outer layer.
2 . A method, as claimed in claim 1 , wherein:
said first applying step is achieved by an auto-catalytic process.
3 . A method, as claimed in claim 1 , wherein:
said second applying step is achieved by vapor deposition.
4 . A method, as claimed in claim 1 , wherein:
said copper based alloy includes ampcoloy.
5 . A method, as claimed in claim 1 , wherein:
said titanium alloy is selected from the group consisting of titanium nitride, titanium carbon nitride, chromium nitride, chromium carbide, and titanium carbide/carbon.
6 . A method, as claimed in claim 1 , wherein:
said primer coating is applied at a range of thickness of between 0.0001 and 0.005 of an inch thick.
7 . A method, as claimed in claim 1 , wherein:
said titanium alloy is applied at a range of thickness between 0.0001 to 0.0003 of an inch thick.