Aluminumcasting alloys are lightweight and able to withstand the highest operating
temperatures of all die cast alloys.
The aluminum
casting alloys characteristics include high performing temperatures,
outstanding corrosion resistance, lightweight, very good strength and hardness,
good stiffness and strength-to-weight ratio, excellent EMI and RFI shielding
properties, excellent thermal conductivity, high electrical conductivity, good
finishing characteristics, and full recyclability. Aluminum’s strength,
corrosion resistance, and heat dissipating properties offer mechanical
designers significant advantages. And a proprietary thin wall aluminum technology
has made aluminum die casting an option for even more applications. It is
generally agreed that die casting with aluminum is one of the most
cost-effective and sustainable ways to create metal parts. When using aluminum,
you will have to choose which aluminum casting alloys to use in the process.
Here is some
technical information on aluminum alloys to help you get a better sense of your
alloy options:
A380
Aluminum Alloy
The most
popular alloy for aluminum die casting is A380. We use A380 because it has
demonstrably the best combination of physical and mechanical properties for
casting, including being lightweight, very strong at high temperatures and
corrosion resistant. A380 is also very good at retaining dimensional stability
even with complex shapes and thin walls and offers high electrical and thermal
conductivity.
A383
Aluminum Alloy
Another option
for die casters is to use A383 aluminum alloy. This is alloy is typically only
used when you are forming intricate components and require very specific
die-filling characteristics. While it doesn’t share all the properties of A380,
it does offer higher strength at high temperatures with less chance of cracking
under heat.
A360
Aluminum Alloy
A360 is harder
to cast than A380, which is why many die casters avoid it. However, it does
offer higher strength at high temperatures, better ductility, and higher
corrosion resistance, so you may want to consider this alloy depending on your
casting abilities and needs.
ZA Alloys
Some
applications may call for ZA, or zinc aluminum alloys, for your die casting.
Originally the primary type of alloy used in gravity casting, scientists have
refined this type of alloy for effective use in die casting. The three alloys
that fall into this category are ZA-8, ZA-12, and ZA-27. Alloys that combine
zinc and aluminum offer higher strength, lower density, better creep resistance
and better wear resistance than other zinc alloys.
ZA-8
ZA-8 is the
only hot chamber alloy of the three. It is the zinc-aluminum alloy one uses in
die casting with the lowest possible aluminum content. It features an aluminum
content of 8.4 percent with one percent copper. Because of the minimal aluminum
content, ZA-8 has a lower melting point and higher density than other aluminum castingalloys. This makes it ideal for hot-chamber die casting. It’s often used for
higher strength requirements that need plating.
Comments
Post a Comment