Die Casting Metals
Aluminum Alloys

Aluminum Die Casting Description: Molten Aluminum Metals (aluminum die casting alloys) are injected, under pressure, into hardened steel die casting dies, often water-cooled. The die casting dies are opened and aluminum die castings are ejected. Many times thousands of aluminum die casting parts each day are produced.

Die Casting Alloys (Technical Information):
• Aluminum 360, aluminum alloy (A360 Die Casting Alloy)
• Aluminum 380, aluminum alloy (A380 Die Casting Alloy)
• Aluminum 383, aluminum alloy (A383 Die Casting Alloy)
• Aluminum 413, aluminum alloy (A413 Die Casting Alloy)
  Size Range: Not normally over 2 feet square.
  Die Casting Alloy Tolerances:
  • Aluminum Alloy Die Casting Part ± .002"/in
  • Add ± .001" to ±.015" across parting line depending on size
  Die Casting Part Surface Finish: 32-63RMS
  Minimum Die Casting Part Draft Requirements:
  • Aluminum
    Normal Die Casting Part Minimum Section Thickness:
    • Aluminum: .06" Small Parts; .09" Medium Parts
      Ordering Quantities: Usually 1,000 and up
      Normal Lead Time:
      • Samples: 2 to 4 weeks
      • Production: Starts usually within two weeks after approval
      The following table will provide a general idea of the technical differences of:
      • Aluminum Die Casting Alloys (360, 380, 383 & 413),

        Aluminum Die Casting Alloys Technical Information Die Casting Metals Comparison (1= most desirable, 5= least desirable)
        	360	380	383	413
        Hardness	75	80	75	80
        Shear Strength (ksi)	28	28	-	25
        Tensile Yield Strength (ksi)	25	23	22	21
        Ultimate Tensil Strength (ksi)	44	46	45	43
        Thermal Conductivity	65	56	56	70
        Electrical Conductivity (% cu.)	30	27	23	31
        Density (lb./in.3)	.1	.1	.1	.1
        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 temps	1	3	2	3