Aluminum die casting

Die casting is a manufacturing process in which molten metal is injected, under pressure, into a hardened steel die or also called mold. Dies are often water-cooled. Dies are then opened, and the die castings are ejected (many times thousands of parts each day, sometimes only a few hundred). Once the tooling is paid for, die casting is a very inexpensive aluminum part manufacturing process.

Aluminum Metals:	Aluminum die cast alloy A 360.
	Aluminum die cast alloy A 380.
	Aluminum die cast alloy A 383.
	Aluminum die cast alloy A 413.

Size Range: Not normally over 2 feet square.
Part Weights: .001 pounds to 10 pounds.
Parts comply with the EU RoHS standards
Setup Cost: New tooling setup is free with free first article report.

Tolerances:
■ Aluminum die cast parts ± .002"/in.
■Add ± .001" to ±.015" across parting line depending on size.

Surface Finish: 32-63RMS.
Minimum Draft Requirements: Aluminum 1° to 3°.

Normal Minimum Section Thickness:
■ Aluminum die cast parts: 0.060" small parts, 0.090" medium parts.

Ordering Quantities: Sometimes less than 100 parts, but usually 1,000 parts or more.

Normal Lead Time:
■Tooling: Sometimes as little as 4 weeks or as much as 12 weeks.
■Samples: Usually the week the die is available.
■Production: Starts usually within two weeks (sometimes less) after approval.

Technical Information

About Die Casting Aluminum Alloys

The following table will provide a general idea of the differences in Aluminum Die Cast alloys. Kinetic Die Casting will help you any technical information. A little information about Kinetic Die Casting Company can be found on our profile page.

ALLOY CHARACTORISTICS
Aluminum die casting alloys	A360	A380	A383	A413
Hardness	75	80	75	80
Elongation (% in.2 in.)	2.5	3.5	3.5	2.5
Shear Strength (ksi)	28	28	-	25
Tensile Yield Strength (ksi)	25	23	22	21
Ultimate Tensile Strength (ksi)	44	46	45	43
Thermal Conductivity	65	56	56	70
Electrical Conductivity (% copper)	30	27	23	31
Density (weight) Lbs./ in.3	0.095	0.099	0.099	0.096

ALLOY ADVANTAGES
Aluminum die casting alloys	A360	A380	A383	A413
(1= most desirable, 5= least desirable):
Pressure Tightness	2	2	2	1
Die Filling Capacity	3	2	1	1
Anti-Soldering to Die	2	1	2	1
Corrosion Resistance	2	4	3	2
Machining ease & quality	3	3	2	4
Strength at high temperatures	1	3	2	3
Material cost	3	1	2	4

ALLOY MATERIALS
Aluminum die casting alloys	A360	A380	A383	A413
Silicon (Si)	9.0-10.0	7.5-9.5	9.5-11.5	11.0-13.0
Iron (Fe)	2	2	1.3	2
Copper (Cu)	0.6	3.0-4.0	2.0-3.0	1
Manganese (Mn)	0.35	0.5	0.5	0.35
Magnesium (Mg)	0.4-0.6	0.1	0.1	0.1
Nickle (Ni)	0.5	0.5	0.3	0.5
Zinc (Zn)	0.5	3	3	0.5
Tin (Sn)	0.15	0.35	0.15	0.15
Others	0.25	0.5	0.5	0.25
Aluminum (Al)	Balance	Balance	Balance	Balance