Metals used for
die casting mainly include zinc, copper, aluminum, magnesium, lead, tin, and lead-tin alloys, although die cast iron is rare, but feasible. More special die-casting metals include ZAMAK, aluminum-zinc alloys, and American Aluminum Association standards: AA380, AA384, AA386, AA390, and AZ91D magnesium. The characteristics of die casting of various metals are as follows:
Zinc: The easiest metal to
die casting, economical to make small parts, easy to coat, high compressive strength, plasticity, and long casting life.
Aluminum: Light weight, high dimensional stability when making complex and thin-walled castings, strong corrosion resistance, good mechanical properties, high thermal and electrical conductivity, and high strength at high temperatures.
Magnesium: Easy to machine, high strength-to-weight ratio, lightest among commonly used die-casting metals.
Copper: high hardness, strong corrosion resistance, the best mechanical properties of commonly used
die-casting metals, wear resistance, and strength close to steel.
Lead and tin: high density, very high dimensional accuracy, can be used as special corrosion protection parts. For public health reasons, this alloy cannot be used in food processing and storage equipment. Alloys of lead, tin and antimony (sometimes with a little copper) can be used to make hand lettering in letterpress printing and bronzing.
