Die cast is any item produced by a die casting technique. Die casting technique is where you place a molten non ferrous metal inside a pressurized chamber. These metals include zinc, copper, aluminum, magnesium, lead and tin-based alloys.
Iron, also known as ferrous or ferric, is a high melting point metal which cannot be used in the die cast making process.
Table of Contents
The Principle
Die Casting is simple, placing a melted metal into a mold. The advantage of this method over the other casting techniques is that it is pressurized. Pressurized is generally faster than the traditional way. Pressure helps liquid metal to fill in the mold quicker.
Another keypoint in the Die Casting process is that the temperature should not reach so high that the mold itself would melt. That’s the reason why Iron is contraindicated. It’s high melting point can make the mold melt.
Advantages and Disadvantages
Advantages
- Excellent dimensional accuracy
- Smooth surfaces
- Can cast thinner walls- This makes the process cheaper
- Rapid production rates.
- High casting tensile strength
Disadvantages
- Machines are costly, which recommends mass production for economic purposes
- Ilimited to high fluidity metals
- The product it gives are actually soft. Requires further hardening and tempering.
Currently, This technology is the reason why we have cheap die-cast models which we all love are cheap, not easily broken, and most of all beautiful.
We do not need to go much into deeper sense into the process as we only need the basic principle that can be easily explained to your friends.
If you have questions, feel free to ask in the comments below
Have a Nice day!
Jason from thediecastmodel.com