One of the many benefits of die casting is the longevity of its metal alloys. These commonly used alloys for die casts are strong and bear long service lives.
The die’s lifespan depends on a variety of factors: part configuration, design, quality expectations, heat treatment, and the type of alloy used, to name a few. The pressure and stress created during the die casting process also play a role in the lifespan of the tooling.
Material longevity matters
When you purchase a complex, custom part, you expect it to last and perform. Die repair, replacement, and maintenance are considerations that matter just as much as the actual die-casting process.
Compared to plastics, die casting metals have a high degree of permanence under load pressures. They are fully resistant to weathering, stress cracking, and ultra-violet rays, which means they offer longer service lives.
Why use metal alloys?
When a material has predictable shrinking rates and strong dimensional stability, you can be more certain of consistency from part to part throughout long production runs. By producing hundreds of thousands of consistent, identical castings without additional equipment and tools, you save capital expenditures, keeping production lean and thus more cost-efficient.
This is why aluminum, zinc, and magnesium—metal alloys with great dimensional stability and durability—are used for die casting. Their resistance to damage and wear allows fewer repairs and replacements.
Advantages of each die casting alloy
Aluminum, zinc, and magnesium in particular offer strong performance and long service lives for various reasons. However, not all these metal alloys behave the same way throughout the die casting process.
1. Aluminum
This material’s high corrosion resistance protects it from long-term wear and damage. Aluminum castings are also lightweight and, among all die casting alloys, can withstand the highest operating temperatures.
2. Zinc
As zinc alloys offer high ductility, high impact strength, and a low melting point, they promote long die life. Zinc alloys perform well under short-term, high stresses. Casting with this strong metal alloy can help extend the working lifespan of the molds.
3. Magnesium
With high wear and corrosion resistance, magnesium is the easiest and lightest alloy to die cast. Similarly to zinc, magnesium alloys have a low melting temperature that allows for a longer die life span. Magnesium is also the lightest of the bunch.
Trust in high-quality die casting
Long-lasting materials mean fewer replacements and repairs. When you choose a manufacturing process that uses the strongest materials, you’re investing in higher quality, flawless finishes, predictable results, and many more long-term benefits.
Simalex manufactures components for several industries with a broad range of aluminum, magnesium, and zinc alloys and sophisticated die casting technologies. Learn how custom pressure die casting can offer you more cost-savings and efficiency.
