Die Casting: What Is It and How Does It Work?

What is Die Casting?

Put simply, die casting is the act of filling a mold with molten material, letting it cool, then cracking it out of its mold before applying any necessary finishes. It's also an irreplaceable machining modality due to its unique advantages. 

How Does Die Casting Work?

The process is simple, thanks to decades of engineering experience and advanced material science. Die casting occurs in a die casting mold made from tough and thermally resistant steel. The mold comprises two pieces with a cavity in the middle. The die casting machine then injects the cavity with a molten substance, often a low-melting-point alloy, though various types are designed with other materials in mind.

Then, the two halves of the mold come together under immense pressures, many hundreds of times greater than that exerted by the Earth's atmosphere. Once the melt is in the mold, certain areas may be subjected to various temperatures to alter the solidification of components as required. 

Why is Die Casting Such a Valuable Process?

One of die casting's great advantages is volume. An immense amount, potentially a million or more, of individual items can come from a single mold with relative ease. It's a straightforward process that ensures uniform quality and favorable economy of material, to boot. Given these efficient and cost-saving qualities, die casting is a popular and efficient choice for producing larger volumes. Even when fancy features like sophisticated internal geometries or external threading are desired. 

Casting also allows assemblies to be created as a single item, eliminating labor to save time and costs, and this price-friendly nature saves money for everybody. Seeking better cycle times with less waste? Die casting can help!  

Die casted parts can also range in size and mass, from smaller pieces weighing only a few pounds to larger, heftier components comprising hundreds of pounds. The type of mold may determine the part, with the tiniest items made in wax or plastic molds that must be destroyed to remove the completed workpiece. 

What Materials Can Be Die Cast?

Many alloys, though the most common are those of aluminum, magnesium, or zinc. These alloys offer various advantages, such as when hardiness is required in the automotive industry's blocks, manifolds, and wheels. 

Casted parts may also boast high corrosion resistance, hardness, strength, and thermal and electrical conductivity. All while providing superb EMI/RFI shielding, long lifespans, and versatile finishing characteristics. This suite of spectacular capabilities makes die casting much sought after in the fields of aerospace, healthcare, and consumer electronics.

Cast a More Prosperous Future By Partnering With Beltim & Associates!

Beltim & Associates is here for all your die casting needs, and we're dedicated to top-quality parts and components for every industry. Explore your options by getting a free quote or contacting us today!