Product Design

What is Zinc Die Casting?

  • Posted by Dienamics
  • January 16, 2014

Die casting is a manufacturing process where molten metals are forced into a mould by high pressure forces. The process is similar to the injection moulding of plastic. After the first die casting equipment was invented in 1838 for the printing industry, the first patent for die casting was given in 1849.

A common metal used in the die casting process is zinc, as it is a common metal present in consumer items such as household appliances, vehicles, bathroom ware and electronics. The reason zinc is used in a lot of these products is because it is a durable metal that is both stronger and lighter than steel.

The primary advantages of using zinc for die casting manufacturing products are:

 

  • It is the easiest and fastest metal to cast

  • It has a high ductility (ductility refers to the deformation of a solid material when subjected to tensile stress)

  • It’s strong enough to resist high-impact forces

  • It is easily plated

  • Zinc is a highly economical metal choice when developing small parts

  • It allows for an extended die life

 

Die casting is the best way to manufacture small items today because the resulting products are far more uniform in their dimensions and measurements. They also have smooth surfaces and zinc die casting allows for rapid production rates which enable manufacturers to provide customers with their order much faster than if the product was being made by hand. The equipment used to produce these zinc die castings consist primarily of a hot chamber or ‘gooseneck’ machine unless the material being used is a zinc alloy, in which case a cold-chamber machine would be used.

 

With the advances of new technology in the last few decades, zinc die casting is an effective and speedy method of manufacturing. Here at Dienamics we have a vast amount of experience with this process, and guarantee satisfaction with every job, no matter how big or small.