The Key Technology of Die-Casting Materials to Meet the Demands of Multiple Industries

Die-casting technology is an important manufacturing process widely used in many industries. With the development of society and advancements in technology, the research and application of die-casting materials have become increasingly important. This article will explore the research and application of die-casting materials in various industries from multiple perspectives, including different types of die-casting materials such as aluminum alloys, magnesium alloys, zinc alloys, etc. It will also discuss the key technologies and challenges in meeting the demands of multiple industries.

1、Firstly, let’s discuss the basic process of die-casting.

The basic process of die-casting includes preparing the mold, heating the metal, injecting the molten metal, maintaining pressure, and cooling the mold. Die-casting requires high-temperature and high-pressure conditions. Common die-casting machines include hot chamber die-casting machines and cold chamber die-casting machines. The difference between them is that hot chamber die-casting machines inject molten metal directly from inside the machine without preheating, while cold chamber die-casting machines need to heat the molten metal to a certain temperature before injecting it into the mold. Additionally, factors such as the composition, temperature, and injection speed of the molten metal need to be considered in die-casting processes. Die-casting technology has made significant progress, evolving from low-pressure casting to high-pressure casting and vacuum die-casting.

2、What are the characteristics of die-casting materials?

Compared with other metal forming methods, die-casting materials are characterized by their high strength, high precision, and dimensional stability. Depending on different requirements, die-casting materials typically include aluminum alloys, magnesium alloys, zinc alloys, copper alloys, etc. These materials have excellent thermal conductivity, good toughness and ductility, and are suitable for manufacturing components with complex shapes and sizes. Let’s discuss some common die-casting materials:

2.1、Aluminum Alloys:

Aluminum alloys are one of the most commonly used die-casting materials due to their good casting properties, mechanical properties, and corrosion resistance. Aluminum alloys are widely used in automotive, aerospace, electronics, and other industries. For example, automotive engine blocks, aerospace engine parts, and electronic product housings can be manufactured using aluminum alloys through die-casting.

2.2、Magnesium Alloys:

Magnesium alloys have low density, high strength, good casting properties, and thermal conductivity. However, their corrosion resistance and high-temperature performance are relatively poor. Therefore, magnesium alloys are mainly used in aerospace, aerospace, electronics, and other industries, such as aircraft engine parts and satellite structures.

2.3、Zinc Alloys:

Zinc alloys have low melting point, good casting properties, and mechanical properties. Zinc alloys are widely used in household appliances, automotive parts, and other fields. For example, household appliance shells and automotive parts can be manufactured using zinc alloys through die-casting.

2.4、Copper Alloys:

Copper alloys have superior corrosion resistance and can resist the corrosion of freshwater, seawater, and some chemical solutions. Therefore, they have extensive applications in shipbuilding and chemical industries. In addition, copper alloys also have good thermal conductivity and wear resistance, making them ideal materials for manufacturing sliding components that bear heavy loads and operate at high speeds. Due to their low elastic modulus and small thermal expansion coefficient, they do not undergo phase changes during operation, ensuring the performance and dimensional stability of the mold cavity. This allows mold cavities to be manufactured through precision casting, die casting, or cold extrusion processes with short cycle times and low costs.

3、Future Development Trends and Challenges of Die-Casting Materials

With the development of technology and the increasing demand for high-performance die-casting materials in various industries, research on die-casting materials will continue to deepen. Future die-casting materials will pay more attention to environmental protection, energy conservation, and sustainable development. In addition, with the emergence of new materials, how to apply these new materials to die-casting processes to improve the performance and quality of die-castings should also be an important direction for future research on die-casting materials.

3.1、Environmental Protection Die-Casting Materials:

With the continuous improvement of environmental awareness, research and application of environmental protection die-casting materials will become an important direction in the future. These materials mainly include recyclable die-casting materials and low-pollution die-casting materials. By researching and developing environmental protection die-casting materials, it is possible to reduce environmental pollution during the die-casting process and improve resource utilization efficiency.

3.2、High Performance Die-Casting Materials:

To meet the demands of various industries for high-performance die-castings, researchers will continue to study and develop high-performance die-casting materials. These materials mainly include die-casting materials with high strength, high hardness, and high wear resistance. By researching and developing high-performance die-casting materials, it is possible to improve the service life of die-castings and reduce maintenance costs.

3.3、New Die-Casting Materials

With the continuous emergence of new materials, how to apply these new materials to die-casting processes to improve the performance and quality of die-castings is also an important direction for future research on die-casting materials. These new materials mainly include nanocomposites, biobased composites, etc. By researching and developing new die-casting materials, it is possible to expand the application fields of die-casting materials and meet the specific needs of various industries.

In summary, the research and application of die-casting materials are of great significance in meeting the needs of different industries. Through the study of various types of die-casting materials, a series of high-performance die-casting materials can be developed to meet the demands of various industries for high-performance die-castings. At the same time, with the development of technology and the improvement of environmental awareness, future die-casting materials will pay more attention to environmental protection, energy conservation, and sustainable development. In addition, with the continuous emergence of new materials, how to apply these new materials to die-casting processes to improve the performance and quality of die-castings should also be an important direction for future research on die-casting materials.