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Manufacturing:
Metal Casting
Metal
Casting Techniques - Die Casting
This process is used for
producing large volumes of zinc, aluminum
and magnesium castings of intricate shapes.
The essential feature of diecasting is the
use of permanent metal dies into which the
molten metal is injected under high pressure
(normally 5000 psi or more).
The rate of
production of diecasting depends largely
on the complexity of design, the section
thickness of the casting, and the properties
of the cast metal. Great care must be taken
with the design and gating of the mold to
avoid high-pressure porosity to which this
process is prone.
Advantages
- Cost of castings is
relatively low with high volumes.
- High degree of design
complexity and accuracy.
- Excellent smooth surface
finish.
- Suitable for relatively
low melting point metals (1600F/871C)
like lead, zinc, aluminum, magnesium and
some copper alloys.
- High production rates.
Disadvantages
- Limits on the size of
castings - most suitable for small castings
up to about 75 lb.
- Equipment and die costs
are high.
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