Which Metals Are The Most Popular Choices for The Die Casting Industry?

Similar to Sand Casting, die casting is another popular metal fabrication method. While these processes share a common goal, their individual machinations drastically differ.

When starting a die casting project, there are many metals and alloys available. Each alloy has unique physical properties that are beneficial for different applications. The most commonly used die casting metals are listed below. Zinc, aluminum and magnesium.Options such as brass, copper, lead and tin are also used, but due to their special status, are more often used for Custom Die Casting jobs.

Aluminum Die Casting of benefits include:

High strength-to-weight ratio

Good hardness

Easy to cast

Electrically conductive

Thermally conductive

Recyclable

High operating temperatures

Aluminum is one of the most popular metals used in die casting, Lightweight and carrion-resistant. A popular choice in car production, aluminium is probably the most prolifically used metal in the diecasting industry, and for good reason. Not only is it a relatively easy metal to work with, it gives great results. Incredibly lightweight, it can withstand exceptionally high operating temperatures, offers a good strength to weight ratio and is resistant to corrosion.In a more environmentally conscious world, an attractive feature of aluminium is the fact that is also fully recyclable.

Zinc Die Casting of benefits include:

Low melting point makes it an eco-friendly option

High strength

Quality finishes

Electrical conductivity

High thermal conductivity

Can be cold formed

Can be cast with thin walls and complex shapes

You will often find medical equipment die cast parts made of zinc. Zinc castings are popular when your item is a patient-facing device that needs an attractive painted or plated finish, since zinc provides a very smooth surface to work on and can be plated easier than aluminum die castings. You can also easily make very thin-walled parts with zinc, which is critical when weight is an important factor in a specific application.Possibly the easiest alloy to die cast, Zinc is often used in electronics, computing and telecommunications.

Magnesium Die Casting of benefits including:

Excellent dimensional stability

Recyclable

Impact resistant

High strength-to-weight ratio

Thin wall capability for large components

Can withstand high temperatures

EMI/RFI shielding

Lighter than steel and aluminum, Magnesium is another metal that is commonly used in die casting.  Attractive features of zinc include the fact it has good impact strength, fantastic resistance to corrosion and creates a smooth surface finish – perfect for plating or painting.Magnesium is used in a wide range of applications. Since it's Aside from connectors and electrical housings, magnesium is also often used to produce medical and laboratory equipment because it provides protection against interfering signals.