The metal we used for die casting mainly include zinc, copper, aluminum, magnesium, lead, tin, and lead-tin alloys etc. Although cast iron is rare, it is also feasible. The characteristics of various metals during die casting are as follows:
• Zinc: The most easily die-cast metal, economical when manufacturing small parts, easy to coat, high compressive strength, high plasticity, and long casting life.
• Aluminum: High quality, complex manufacturing and thin-walled castings with high dimensional stability, high corrosion resistance, good mechanical properties, high thermal conductivity and electrical conductivity, and high strength at high temperatures.
• Magnesium: Easy to machine, high strength to weight ratio, the lightest of the commonly used die-cast metals.
• Copper: High hardness and strong corrosion resistance. The most commonly used die-cast metal has the best mechanical properties, anti-wear and strength close to steel.
• Lead and tin: High density and high dimensional accuracy for special corrosion protection parts. For reasons of public health, this alloy cannot be used as a food processing and storage facility. Lead-tin-bismuth alloys (sometimes also containing a little copper) can be used to make hand-finished lettering and hot stamping in letterpress printing.