Shenzhen Alu Rapid Prototype Precision Co., Ltd.

Aluminum die casting alloys are specifically formulated to optimize the die casting process, balancing castability, mechanical properties, and corrosion resistance. These alloys are primarily non-ferrous and categorized based on their composition, with aluminum as the base metal, combined with elements like silicon, magnesium, copper, zinc, and others. The most common standards for these alloys are set by organizations like the Aluminum Association (AA), ASTM, and international equivalents (e.g., EN, JIS).

Below are the main types of die cast aluminum alloys, grouped by their primary alloying elements and common designations:

1. Aluminum-Silicon (Al-Si) Alloys

Characteristics: High fluidity, excellent castability, and good corrosion resistance. Silicon improves flow into complex molds and reduces shrinkage during solidification.

Common Alloys:

A380 (ADC10 in Japan):

Composition: ~8–12% Si, ~3–4% Cu,<1% Fe, <3% Zn.

Properties: Most widely used due to its balance of strength, castability, and cost. Good corrosion resistance and dimensional stability.

Applications: Automotive parts (housings, brackets), electronics (enclosures), and appliance components.

A383 (ADC12 in Japan):

Composition: ~9.5–12% Si, ~1.5–3.5% Cu,<1.3% Fe.

Properties: Similar to A380 but with better fluidity and slightly lower strength. Preferred for intricate, thin-walled parts.

Applications: Complex electronics housings, automotive transmission cases, and consumer goods.

A360:

Composition: ~9–10% Si,<0.6% Cu, <1.3% Fe, ~0.5% Mg.

Properties: Higher corrosion resistance and ductility than A380, with good strength. Less fluidity but better for high-pressure applications.

Applications: Marine components, pump housings, and parts requiring corrosion resistance.

Advantages: Excellent castability, good surface finish, and moderate strength.

Limitations: Limited strength compared to alloys with higher copper or magnesium.

2. Aluminum-Silicon-Magnesium (Al-Si-Mg) Alloys

Characteristics: Addition of magnesium enhances strength and heat-treatability while maintaining good castability and corrosion resistance.

Common Alloys:

A356:

Composition: ~6.5–7.5% Si, ~0.25–0.45% Mg,<0.2% Fe, minimal Cu.

Properties: High strength, excellent corrosion resistance, and good weldability. Often heat-treated (T6) for improved mechanical properties.

Applications: Aerospace components, structural parts, and high-strength automotive wheels.

A357:

Composition: ~6.5–7.5% Si, ~0.45–0.6% Mg,<0.2% Fe, ~0.04–0.07% Be.

Properties: Higher strength than A356, with beryllium for improved fluidity and reduced oxidation. Used in critical applications.

Applications: Aerospace castings, high-performance automotive parts.

Advantages: High strength-to-weight ratio, good corrosion resistance, and suitability for heat treatment.

Limitations: Slightly lower castability than Al-Si alloys and higher cost due to magnesium and stricter composition control.

3. Aluminum-Silicon-Copper (Al-Si-Cu) Alloys

Characteristics: Copper increases strength and hardness but reduces corrosion resistance and ductility compared to Al-Si alloys.

Common Alloys:

A384:

Composition: ~10.5–12% Si, ~3–4.5% Cu,<1.3% Fe.

Properties: High strength and good wear resistance but lower corrosion resistance. Used for parts needing durability over aesthetics.

Applications: Engine blocks, gear housings, and heavy-duty industrial components.

A319:

Composition: ~5.5–6.5% Si, ~3–4% Cu,<1% Fe.

Properties: Good strength and machinability, moderate castability. Often used in sand casting but applicable in die casting.

Applications: Cylinder heads, engine components, and pump bodies.

Advantages: Enhanced strength and wear resistance, suitable for high-load applications.

Limitations: Reduced corrosion resistance and ductility; copper increases susceptibility to cracking if not properly managed.

4. Aluminum-Magnesium (Al-Mg) Alloys

Characteristics: Magnesium as the primary alloying element provides excellent corrosion resistance and good strength but lower castability due to higher viscosity.

Common Alloys:

518 (EN AC-51300):

Composition: ~4.5–6.5% Mg,<0.25% Fe, minimal Si or Cu.

Properties: Exceptional corrosion resistance, good ductility, and aesthetic finish. Challenging to cast due to low fluidity.

Applications: Marine fittings, food processing equipment, and decorative parts.

Advantages: Superior corrosion resistance, ideal for harsh environments.

Limitations: Poor castability, higher cost, and limited use in complex die casting due to fluidity issues.

5. Aluminum-Zinc (Al-Zn) Alloys

Characteristics: Zinc improves strength and hardness but reduces corrosion resistance and increases density. Less common in die casting but used for specific high-strength needs.

Common Alloys:

ZA-8:

Composition: ~8–8.8% Zn, ~0.8–1.3% Al,<0.1% Cu, <0.075% Mg.

Properties: High strength and hardness, good creep resistance. Can be hot-chamber die cast, unlike most aluminum alloys.

Applications: Heavy-duty bearings, bushings, and high-strength fittings.

ZA-12, ZA-27:

Composition: Higher zinc content (11–13% or 25–28% Zn).

Properties: Even higher strength but lower castability and corrosion resistance. Often used in gravity or low-pressure casting.

Applications: Structural components, high-load industrial parts.

Advantages: High strength and wear resistance, good for specialized applications.

Limitations: Heavier, less corrosion-resistant, and less common in standard die casting.

key Considerations for Aluminum Die Casting Alloys:

Castability: Al-Si alloys (e.g., A380, A383) are the easiest to cast due to high fluidity, while Al-Mg alloys (e.g., 518) are more challenging.

Mechanical Properties: Al-Si-Mg (e.g., A356) and Al-Si-Cu (e.g., A384) offer higher strength, especially with heat treatment.

Corrosion Resistance: Al-Mg and low-copper Al-Si alloys excel in corrosive environments; Al-Si-Cu alloys may need coatings.

Cost: A380 and A383 are cost-effective for high-volume production; specialized alloys like A357 or ZA-8 are pricier due to tighter composition control.

Applications: Alloy choice depends on the part’s function (e.g., structural, decorative, high-strength) and operating environment.

Relevance to Shenzhen Alu Rapid Prototype Precision Co., Ltd.:

Shenzhen Alu Rapid Prototype Precision Co., Ltd. specializes in aluminum die casting, likely using common alloys like A380, A383, or A360 for their prototyping and production services, given their widespread use in automotive, electronics, and industrial applications. For high-strength or corrosion-resistant needs, they may also work with A356 or 518. Their ISO 9001:2015 certification and advanced facilities ensure precise control over alloy properties, making them capable of tailoring alloy selection to client specifications.

For specific alloy offerings or capabilities, you can check their website (www.aluprototype.com) or contact them directly.

Properties: High strength and good wear resistance but lower corrosion resistance. Used for parts needing durability over aesthetics.

Applications: Engine blocks, gear housings, and heavy-duty industrial components.

A319:

Composition: ~5.5–6.5% Si, ~3–4% Cu,<1% Fe.

Properties: Good strength and machinability, moderate castability. Often used in sand casting but applicable in die casting.

Applications: Cylinder heads, engine components, and pump bodies.

Advantages: Enhanced strength and wear resistance, suitable for high-load applications.

Limitations: Reduced corrosion resistance and ductility; copper increases susceptibility to cracking if not properly managed.

4. Aluminum-Magnesium (Al-Mg) Alloys

Characteristics: Magnesium as the primary alloying element provides excellent corrosion resistance and good strength but lower castability due to higher viscosity.

Common Alloys:

518 (EN AC-51300):

Composition: ~4.5–6.5% Mg,<0.25% Fe, minimal Si or Cu.

Properties: Exceptional corrosion resistance, good ductility, and aesthetic finish. Challenging to cast due to low fluidity.

Applications: Marine fittings, food processing equipment, and decorative parts.

Advantages: Superior corrosion resistance, ideal for harsh environments.

Limitations: Poor castability, higher cost, and limited use in complex die casting due to fluidity issues.

5. Aluminum-Zinc (Al-Zn) Alloys

Characteristics: Zinc improves strength and hardness but reduces corrosion resistance and increases density. Less common in die casting but used for specific high-strength needs.

Common Alloys:

ZA-8:

Composition: ~8–8.8% Zn, ~0.8–1.3% Al,<0.1% Cu, <0.075% Mg.

Properties: High strength and hardness, good creep resistance. Can be hot-chamber die cast, unlike most aluminum alloys.

Applications: Heavy-duty bearings, bushings, and high-strength fittings.

ZA-12, ZA-27:

Composition: Higher zinc content (11–13% or 25–28% Zn).

Properties: Even higher strength but lower castability and corrosion resistance. Often used in gravity or low-pressure casting.

Applications: Structural components, high-load industrial parts.

Advantages: High strength and wear resistance, good for specialized applications.

Limitations: Heavier, less corrosion-resistant, and less common in standard die casting.

Key Considerations for Aluminum Die Casting Alloys:

Castability: Al-Si alloys (e.g., A380, A383) are the easiest to cast due to high fluidity, while Al-Mg alloys (e.g., 518) are more challenging.

Mechanical Properties: Al-Si-Mg (e.g., A356) and Al-Si-Cu (e.g., A384) offer higher strength, especially with heat treatment.

Corrosion Resistance: Al-Mg and low-copper Al-Si alloys excel in corrosive environments; Al-Si-Cu alloys may need coatings.

Cost: A380 and A383 are cost-effective for high-volume production; specialized alloys like A357 or ZA-8 are pricier due to tighter composition control.

Applications: Alloy choice depends on the part’s function (e.g., structural, decorative, high-strength) and operating environment.