Jaw plates, the core wear components in jaw crushers, have long been treated by many enterprises as mere "consumables," often overlooking their critical role in the overall crushing system. Data shows that jaw plate-related maintenance can account for 30–45% of total maintenance costs, with annual downtime for replacements reaching 40–70 hours. This article delves into the physical definition, four key functions, and wear mechanisms of jaw plates, analyzing how they impact crushing efficiency, product gradation, and equipment lifespan. Furthermore, by introducing HUATAO Group's HT-MnX™ alloy technology and application-specific design optimizations, it demonstrates how material innovation and structural enhancements can transform jaw plates from a "cost center" into a "performance advantage." The article also includes practical discussion questions to help operations assess their current jaw plate usage and develop more cost-effective maintenance strategies.