Die casting provides complex shapes within closer tolerances than many other mass production processes. Little or no machining is required and thousands can be produced before additional tooling is required.
Aluminum alloys are used in die casting more extensively than alloys of any other base metal. Die cast items made of aluminum are lightweight and have high operating temperature tolerances when compared to other items made with standard die casting alloys. Aluminum alloys have outstanding strength and rigidity properties, and good corrosion resistance and heat dissipation. Aluminum die castings are produced for an array of everyday products including kitchen implements, streetlamp housings, medical equipment, small engine housings, and automotive, marine, and aircraft hardware.
For an alloy selection guide see here.
Zinc’s affinity for die casting and its strength provides excellent design flexibility, exhibiting an excellent combination of cost, strength, ductility, impact strength and finish acceptance. Zinc used in die casting is usually alloyed with small amounts of aluminum, magnesium, and copper. These small amounts of alloying materials transform the zinc, which in its pure form is a brittle, low-strength metal, into an excellent engineering material. The zinc alloys used in die casting have high strength and hardness, good ductility and excellent casting properties.
Mechanical properties (strength and ductility) are comparable, or even superior, to many other cast materials such as aluminum, magnesium, brass and cast iron. Zinc alloys have good bearing and wear resistance; performing like traditional bronze bearing alloys in both dry and lubricated conditions. Zinc alloys perform exceptionally well under conditions of moderate, continuous loading (like threaded connections) or short term, high stresses. These alloys are typically not used in applications where high continuous stresses or elevated temperatures are encountered.
Zinc alloys are corrosion resistant under normal atmospheric conditions, in neutral to alkaline pH aqueous solutions and in contact with petroleum products. Like many other metals, the use of chromate or phosphate dip coatings enhances corrosion resistance.
For an alloy selection guide see here.
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