DIE CASTINGAluminum · Zinc · Dies · Machining · Finishing
Aluminum HPDC
Aluminum die castings for housings, heat sinks and brackets
Aluminum die casting is the usual choice for housings and enclosures that must be light and carry heat away: motor and gearbox housings, heat sinks and LED lamp bodies, telecom enclosures with cast fins, control unit housings, brackets and covers. Aluminum is cast on cold chamber machines.
Most parts are cast in A380 or ADC12. Both contain 1.5–4% copper, which helps castability and strength but lowers corrosion resistance, so outdoor parts are usually powder coated or cast in a low-copper alloy such as A360 or AlSi10Mg(Fe). A413 is chosen where pressure tightness and flow into thin sections matter most.
Typical aluminum die cast parts
- Motor, gearbox and pump housings
- Heat sinks and LED lamp housings
- Telecom and 5G enclosures with cast cooling fins
- Electronic control unit housings
- Brackets, frames and mounting parts
- Power tool housings and covers
- Automotive and motorcycle covers
Aluminum die casting at a glance (typical)
| Common alloys | A380, ADC12 (YL113), A360, A413, AlSi10Mg(Fe) |
|---|---|
| Machine type | Cold chamber |
| Wall thickness | Typically about 1.5–4 mm; down to about 1 mm on small parts with short flow paths |
| Draft | Typically about 1–2°; inner walls and cores need more than outer walls |
| Surface options | As cast, shot blasted, powder coated, painted, E-coated, conversion coated |
| Secondary ops | Trimming, deburring, CNC machining, tapping; leak test and impregnation requirements agreed at quotation |
Aluminum die casting FAQ
Which aluminum alloy should I use?
A380 or ADC12 for most parts. They cast well and balance strength and cost. A360 or A413 when pressure tightness matters, and a low-copper alloy when corrosion resistance does. If the part has to be welded or heat treated to T6, gravity casting in A356 is usually the better route.
Can aluminum die castings be anodized?
Technically yes, but A380 and ADC12 anodize to a thin, grey, uneven layer because of their silicon and copper content. For appearance, powder coating or painting is the usual choice.
Are aluminum die castings pressure tight?
They can be, with even walls, gating and venting planned for the leak-tight zones, and machining kept out of thick sections. Leak-tight castings are normally leak tested, and vacuum impregnation can seal remaining micro-porosity.