Recent Die Casting Technology and Product Quality in Japan

The mechanical strength of aluminum alloy die castings produced by the ordinary die casting process can be increased by fining the casting structure. However, strength which is still higher than obtained by this method, as well as higher reliability, are often demanded for automobile components. To satisfy these requirements, new processes in which molten metal does not entrap the air when injected under pressure have been developed and are used in Japan, Representative processes are Oxygen Atmosphere Die Casting, Low Speed Filling Die Casting and High Pressure Die Casting. Any of these processes reduces the gas in the castings to only about 5 cc/100gAl, making solution heat treatment possible to obtain higher strength.