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Manufacturers must consider certain factors and variables when choosing die casting materials. These include:
Whether the material is suitable for hot-chamber die casting
Material costs
Indirect materials costs (e.g. any extra post-processing required)
Material structural properties
Strength
Weight
Surface finish
Machinability
All of these factors should be considered when choosing a die casting material for parts or prototypes.
Aluminum die casting alloys
Aluminum is one of the main die casting metals, and aluminum alloys are used in cold-chamber die casting. These alloys typically contain silicon, copper, and magnesium.
Aluminum die casting alloys are lightweight and offer good dimensional stability, which makes them a good choice for complex, fine-featured parts. Other advantages include good corrosion resistance, temperature resistance, and thermal and electrical conductivity.
Common die casting aluminum alloys include:
380: A general-purpose machining aluminum alloy which balances castability with good mechanical properties. It is used in a very wide variety of products, including engine brackets, furniture, electronics enclosures, frames, handles, gearbox cases, and power tools.
390: An alloy with excellent wear resistance and vibration resistance. It was developed specifically for the die casting of automotive engine blocks and is also suitable for valve bodies, impellers, and pump housings.
413: An aluminum alloy with excellent casting properties. It has good pressure tightness and is therefore used for products like hydraulic cylinders, as well as architectural parts and food and dairy industry equipment.
443: The most ductile of die casting aluminum alloys, this alloy is suitable for consumer goods, especially those that require plastic deformation after casting.
518: A ductile aluminum alloy with good corrosion resistance. It is used in a variety of products, including aircraft hardware fittings, ornamental hardware, and escalator components.
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