Key Factors That Determine the Type of Die-Casting Aluminum Alloy to Use

It is generally agreed among fabricators in the metal industry that aluminium is arguably the best material for creating metal parts using a die-casting technique. It can be attributed to the fact that die casting with aluminium is both a cost-effective and sustainable way of making metal parts. That said, you first have to choose the right aluminium alloy for your die-casting requirements. This article highlights factors that determine which aluminium alloy meets your die casting needs.  

The Complexity of Design

Metal parts vary in design complexity, and this is a critical factor to consider when preparing to die-cast with aluminium alloy. For instance, metal trays used in hotels feature a simple design and do not need a detailed die-filling. However, metal parts for aeroplane gears feature sophisticated designs. Therefore, the ideal aluminium alloy for such types of applications must remain strong even under extreme temperatures. It ensures that fine details can form without the metal cracking at bends and corners. For example, die-casting with aluminium alloy A383 allows you to produce intricate metal part designs.  

Level of Corrosion Resistance 

Metal parts made from aluminium alloys vary in their level of corrosion resistance. For instance, metal parts used in less humid environments have a lower chance of corrosion; therefore, the parts require die-casting with aluminium that has low levels of corrosion resistance. On the other hand, metal parts used in highly humid environments such as along the coastline require die-casting with aluminium that has the highest levels of corrosion resistance. An excellent example of aluminium meant for a less corrosion-prone environment is aluminium alloy A380. This is because it is light — the alloy is not galvanised — and the corrosion resistance forms naturally through oxidation on the alloy's surface.  

Type of Die-Casting Chamber

In die-casting, the chambers can either be hot or cold. Hot chamber die-casting refers to the heating aluminium inside a casting machine. Cold die-casting, on the other hand, involves melting the metal in a furnace and then transferring the molten metal to the die-casting machine. Therefore, it is vital to note that certain aluminium alloys only use hot chamber die-casting while others produce better parts under hot-chamber die-casting. For example, aluminium alloy ZA-8 is ideal for hot chamber die-casting since it has low aluminium content as well as a low melting point. On the other hand, aluminium alloy ZA-12 does best in cold-chamber die-casting due to medium aluminium content and high melting point.