Die Casting Aluminum Boxes are used in many ways. How are Die Casting Aluminum Box Enclosures used? These boxes are used for retail product packaging because they can easily get grounded since aluminum can conduct electricity. These are also used …
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How To Choose Which Die Casting Alloy For Your Die Casting Part
How to Choose Aluminum Die Casting Alloys for Your Die Casting Part – Aluminum die casting is one of the most versatile and widely used manufacturing processes for producing high-quality metal components. It is employed across industries ranging from automotive and aerospace to electronics, consumer goods, and industrial equipment. One of the most critical decisions in aluminum die casting is the selection of the proper alloy. The right aluminum alloy affects not only the strength, durability, and functionality of your die cast part but also production efficiency, cost, and long-term performance.
Kinetic Die Casting Company helps customers with this decision all the time. Choosing the appropriate aluminum die casting alloy requires an understanding of material properties, design requirements, environmental conditions, and manufacturing considerations. This guide outlines key factors to consider when selecting aluminum alloys for die casting, offering practical advice for engineers, designers, and purchasing professionals.
Which Die Casting Alloy
1. Understand the Types of Aluminum Die Casting Alloys
Aluminum die casting alloys are typically classified into two main categories: engineered high-strength alloys and general-purpose alloys. Within these categories, several industry-standard alloys are commonly used, each with unique properties suited for different applications.
Common general-purpose die casting alloys include:
A380 aluminum: One of the most widely used alloys in die casting, A380 offers a good balance of strength, corrosion resistance, and thermal conductivity. It is easy to cast and has excellent machinability.
A383 aluminum: Similar to A380, A383 provides better corrosion resistance and slightly higher elongation, making it ideal for parts requiring improved ductility.
A360 aluminum: Known for its excellent corrosion resistance and high ductility, A360 is often used in marine or outdoor applications.
High-strength die casting alloys include:
A390 aluminum: High wear resistance and hardness make A390 suitable for components subjected to abrasive conditions, such as automotive engine parts or tooling applications.
A413 aluminum: Offers excellent thermal conductivity and mechanical strength, ideal for automotive engine blocks and heat sinks.
ADC12 (common in Asia, equivalent to A383/A380): Provides a good compromise between strength, corrosion resistance, and die casting performance.
The first step in alloy selection is to determine whether your application requires general-purpose or high-strength properties. Consider the operating environment, load-bearing requirements, and expected wear on the component.
2. Consider Mechanical Properties
Mechanical properties are among the most critical factors in selecting an aluminum die casting alloy. These include:
Tensile strength: Indicates how much force the material can withstand before breaking. For load-bearing or structural parts, higher tensile strength alloys like A390 or A413 are preferable.
Yield strength: The stress at which a material begins to deform permanently. High-yield alloys ensure parts maintain shape under stress.
Elongation: Measures ductility or the ability of the material to stretch without breaking. Alloys like A360 with higher elongation are ideal for parts that require some flexibility.
Hardness: Affects wear resistance and surface durability. Harder alloys such as A390 are often used in high-friction applications.
Fatigue strength: Important for components subjected to cyclic loading, such as automotive suspension parts or rotating machinery components.
Evaluating these mechanical properties relative to your part’s functional requirements helps determine which alloy offers the optimal combination of strength, durability, and reliability.
3. Factor in Corrosion Resistance
Aluminum naturally forms a protective oxide layer, but corrosion resistance can vary significantly among die casting alloys. For applications exposed to moisture, chemicals, or harsh environmental conditions, corrosion resistance is crucial.
A380: Provides moderate corrosion resistance, suitable for indoor or controlled environments.
A360: Offers superior corrosion resistance, making it ideal for marine, outdoor, or humid conditions.
Surface treatments: Die cast aluminum parts can also be anodized or powder coated to enhance corrosion resistance. Alloy selection should account for whether post-processing will be used.
When corrosion resistance is a priority, it is often better to choose a more resistant alloy upfront rather than relying solely on coatings or treatments.
4. Evaluate Thermal and Electrical Conductivity
For parts subjected to heat, such as automotive engine components, electronics housings, or heat sinks, thermal conductivity is a key consideration. Aluminum alloys vary in their ability to conduct heat:
A413: High thermal conductivity makes it suitable for heat-dissipating components.
A380 and A383: Moderate thermal conductivity, sufficient for general-purpose applications.
Electrical conductivity: While not typically critical for structural parts, it can matter for electrical housings, connectors, or electronic enclosures.
Matching the die casting alloy to your thermal requirements ensures part longevity and functional efficiency.
5. Assess Die Casting Processability
Die casting alloys differ in how easily they fill molds, solidify, and produce defect-free castings. Processability considerations include:
Fluidity: Alloys with higher fluidity fill complex molds better and reduce porosity. A380 and A360 are known for excellent fluidity.
Shrinkage: Different alloys contract at different rates during solidification. Proper shrinkage allowances must be designed into the mold to prevent warping or dimensional inaccuracies.
Hot tearing and porosity tendencies: Some high-strength alloys, like A390, are more prone to shrinkage-related defects and may require specialized tooling or process adjustments.
A balance between mechanical requirements and ease of die casting is essential. Selecting an alloy that is difficult to cast may increase production time, scrap rates, and overall cost.
6. Consider Post-Casting Requirements
After die casting, many parts undergo secondary processes such as machining, heat treatment, or surface finishing. Alloy selection impacts these operations:
Machinability: Alloys like A380 offer excellent machinability, reducing tooling wear and machining time.
Heat treatment compatibility: Some aluminum alloys can be heat treated to improve strength and hardness, while others are not suitable for heat treatment.
Surface finishing: Anodizing, powder coating, and painting are common finishing processes. Choose an alloy that responds well to these treatments without compromising dimensional stability or appearance.
Considering post-casting requirements early in the selection process helps avoid costly redesigns or production delays.
7. Factor in Cost and Availability with Kinetic Die Casting Company
Cost is always a consideration in manufacturing. General-purpose alloys such as A380 are typically more economical than high-strength alloys like A390. However, the cheapest material is not always the most cost-effective in the long run if it results in part failures, higher scrap rates, or extensive post-processing.
Availability also matters. Some alloys may be regionally restricted or subject to supply fluctuations. Working with a U.S.-based aluminum die casting supplier can ensure a consistent supply of alloys that meet both technical and logistical requirements.
8. Match Alloy Selection to Application
Ultimately, the best aluminum alloy depends on your application requirements. Consider the following examples:
Automotive parts: Require high strength, wear resistance, and thermal performance. A390, A413, or A380 are commonly used.
Consumer electronics: Lightweight, precise, and corrosion-resistant parts benefit from A380 or A360.
Marine equipment: High corrosion resistance is essential; A360 or anodized A380 parts are suitable.
General industrial components: Balance of strength, cost, and machinability often leads to A380 or A383 choices.
Understanding the operational environment, loads, exposure to chemicals or moisture, and required service life helps narrow down alloy selection.
9. Partner with an Experienced Die Casting Supplier, Kinetic Die Casting Company
Selecting the right aluminum alloy is easier when working with an experienced die casting partner. Suppliers like Kinetic Die Casting Company in Los Angeles, California, offer technical guidance on alloy selection, tooling design, and production methods. Their expertise ensures that the chosen alloy meets mechanical, thermal, and corrosion requirements while remaining cost-effective and manufacturable.
A collaborative approach allows engineers and designers to optimize part geometry, wall thickness, and feature placement to maximize alloy performance. Additionally, experienced suppliers can advise on surface treatments, heat treatment options, and inspection processes to ensure parts meet stringent quality standards.
Choosing the right aluminum die casting alloy is a critical step in manufacturing reliable, cost-effective, and high-performance components. By considering mechanical properties, corrosion resistance, thermal and electrical conductivity, die casting processability, post-casting requirements, and cost, manufacturers can select an alloy that meets both functional and production needs.
Partnering with a knowledgeable aluminum die casting supplier provides additional benefits, including design guidance, technical expertise, and assurance of consistent quality. With the right alloy selection and a skilled die casting partner, manufacturers can produce parts that deliver long-term performance, durability, and value across a wide range of industries.
Aluminum die casting remains a versatile and efficient manufacturing process, and alloy selection is the foundation for achieving superior results. Taking the time to evaluate all relevant factors ensures that your die cast parts meet the demands of modern applications while providing reliable performance for years to come.
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Kinetic Die Casting Company, Inc. 6918 Beck Avenue, North Hollywood, California USA 91605 E-mail sales@kineticdiecasting.com (818) 982-9200 California Die Castings – Die Casting Photos – Technical FAQ – Die Casting Prices – Kinetic Die Casting Company What is Die Casting ? – Why Use Die Casting – Kinetic Abilities – Die Casting Offshore ? – Sand casting prices and die castings – Die Casting Tooling – Kinetic Newsletter |
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Kinetic Die Casting Wrap Up 2025
As we just completed another successful year of 2025 Kinetic Die Casting Company, we want to take a moment to thank you for your continued trust and collaboration. 2025 has been a year of growth, innovation, and resilience in the face of industry changes. We’ve proudly delivered high-quality aluminum and zinc die casting parts to industries including aerospace, military, automotive, lighting, and consumer products — all while living up to our motto:
The Parts We Make Today, We Ship Today!
Aluminum Die Casting Parts
and
Zinc Die Casting Parts
Most Deliveries in 2 to 4 weeks
Reflecting on 2025 Achievements
Last year, we expanded our capabilities with the addition of a new automated 400 Ton cold-chamber die casting machines, enhancing precision, consistency, and production efficiency. These investments allow us to better serve your needs for both low- and high-volume runs, with faster turnaround times and superior part quality.
We’ve also navigated shifts in the die casting landscape, stepping in to support customers affected by closures in Southern California. As one of the remaining dedicated die casting companies in the region, we’re committed to keeping manufacturing strong right here in North Hollywood, California USA.
Exciting Die Casting Outlook for 2026
The die casting industry is poised for continued expansion, driven by demand for lightweight, durable components — especially in electric vehicles and sustainable manufacturing. Aluminum usage in vehicles is projected to rise significantly, creating new opportunities for innovative parts that improve efficiency and reduce emissions.
At Kinetic Die Casting Company, we’re gearing up for an even stronger 2026:
- Enhanced Capacity: Leveraging our recent equipment upgrades to handle more complex projects and larger orders.
- Focus on Sustainability: Exploring eco-friendly processes and materials to align with growing industry trends.
- Customer-Centric Innovation: Continuing to offer expert design consultation, prototyping, tooling, machining, and finishing — all tailored to your specific needs.
- We’re optimistic about partnering with you on upcoming projects and helping bring your ideas to life with parts that are stronger than steel.
Thank you for making 2025 a great year — here’s to an outstanding 2026 together!
P.S. Stay updated with industry insights, tips, and company news — subscribe to our newsletter at:Join our Die Casting Newsletter list (https://www.kineticdiecasting.com/kdc/newsletter-signup/)
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Kinetic Die Casting Company, Inc. 6918 Beck Avenue, North Hollywood, California USA 91605 E-mail sales@kineticdiecasting.com (818) 982-9200 California Die Castings – Die Casting Photos – Technical FAQ – Die Casting Prices – Kinetic Die Casting Company What is Die Casting ? – Why Use Die Casting – Kinetic Abilities – Die Casting Offshore ? – Sand casting prices and die castings – Die Casting Tooling – Kinetic Newsletter |
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Posted in Aircraft Parts, Aluminum Die Casting, Aluminum Heatsinks, Auto Parts, Blogger, Bracket, Brass Die Casting, Business, Chocolate Fountain, Customers, Die Casting Alloys, Die Casting Company, Die Casting Parts, Diecasting Process, Employee, Enclosures, Golf, Handle, Kinetic Die Casting Company, Lighting, Military Die Castings, newsletter, Plastic Parts, Supplier
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DME 12×15 Unit Tooling 2026
Die casting companies rely on our tooling to make great die casting parts. Die Casting Tooling quality and standardization play a critical role in achieving repeatable, high-quality parts at competitive costs. One commonly used standard in North American die casting operations is the “DME 12×15 unit tooling format”. This tooling size, defined by the dimensions of the die shoe, offers a balance between flexibility, durability, and compatibility with a wide range of die casting machines, making it a popular choice for small- to medium-sized components.
Die Casting Part Prices
The 12×15 designation refers to the nominal dimensions (in inches) of the die shoe supplied under the DME (Detroit Mold Engineering) standard. DME unit dies are pre-engineered tooling bases that include standardized leader pins, bushings, ejector housings, and clamp plate configurations. By using a unit tooling approach, die casters can significantly reduce design time, machining costs, and lead times compared to fully custom die sets.
One of the key advantages of DME 12×15 unit tooling is its modularity. Inserts, cavities, cores, and slides can be designed to fit within the standardized die set, allowing components to be changed or refurbished without replacing the entire tool. This is especially valuable in high-volume die casting environments where wear, erosion, or design revisions are expected over the life of the program. The ability to swap inserts minimizes downtime and extends tooling life.
From a machine compatibility standpoint, the 12×15 size is well-suited for small to mid-tonnage die casting machines, typically in the range of 200 to 400 tons, depending on alloy, part geometry, and projected area. This makes it ideal for aluminum and zinc die casting applications such as automotive brackets, electronic housings, consumer hardware, and industrial components. Its compact footprint also helps optimize thermal control, reducing cycle times and improving dimensional stability.
Another benefit of DME unit tooling is predictable quality and alignment. Because leader pin locations, ejector systems, and plate thicknesses are standardized, die alignment is consistent across builds. This reduces the risk of flash, uneven wear, and premature failure. For tooling engineers and maintenance teams, familiarity with DME standards simplifies troubleshooting and repair, as replacement components are readily available from multiple suppliers.
Cost efficiency is a major driver behind the continued use of 12×15 unit dies. Initial tooling costs are generally lower than custom die sets, and long-term maintenance expenses are reduced through standardized spare parts. Additionally, many die casting shops already stock DME-compatible components, further lowering inventory and procurement costs.
In summary, DME 12×15 unit tooling offers a proven, economical, and flexible solution for die casting manufacturers. Its standardized design supports faster tool builds, reliable performance, and efficient maintenance, making it an excellent choice for programs that demand consistency, scalability, and cost control. For many die casting applications, the 12×15 unit die remains a practical and dependable tooling standard.
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Kinetic Die Casting Company, Inc. 6918 Beck Avenue, North Hollywood, California USA 91605 E-mail sales@kineticdiecasting.com (818) 982-9200 California Die Castings – Die Casting Photos – Technical FAQ – Die Casting Prices – Kinetic Die Casting Company What is Die Casting ? – Why Use Die Casting – Kinetic Abilities – Die Casting Offshore ? – Sand casting prices and die castings – Die Casting Tooling – Kinetic Newsletter |
Posted in Tooling Die Casting
Tagged #diecasting, #DiecastingTooling, #DiecastTooling
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American-Made Aluminum Die Casting Lighting Parts by Kinetic Die Casting Company
Kinetic Die Casting Company stands out as a proud American-made producer of precision aluminum die casting parts—especially those used in lighting and other demanding applications. Located in North Hollywood, California, Kinetic has built a reputation over more than 30 years for high-quality, domestically manufactured components that serve industries ranging from commercial lighting to aerospace and military applications.
Kinetic Die Casting
At the heart of Kinetic’s capabilities is the high-pressure die casting (HPDC) process, a method in which molten aluminum alloys such as A380, A383, A360, and A413 are injected under significant pressure into steel molds to create complex, high-precision parts with superior consistency. This method is ideal for lighting components that require strength, durability, and tight dimensional tolerances—attributes that are essential where robust performance and reliability are non-negotiable.
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Aluminum die cast lighting parts produced by Kinetic offer several inherent advantages. Aluminum is lightweight yet strong, making it especially useful for fixtures that must be durable without adding unnecessary weight to structures. It also boasts excellent corrosion resistance—a critical factor for outdoor and industrial lighting installations—and good thermal properties that help dissipate heat in high-output luminaire systems. Furthermore, aluminum’s electrical conductivity and aesthetic finish options (such as powder coating or anodizing) make it a versatile choice across a wide range of lighting designs.
Medical Illumination Light Fixture Part
One of the key benefits of sourcing from Kinetic is the company’s commitment to U.S. production. Every step—from design and prototyping to casting, machining, and finishing—is performed in the United States, ensuring supply chain transparency, faster turnaround times, and regulatory compliance. For manufacturers concerned about import delays, quality control issues, or intellectual property risks, choosing a domestic supplier like Kinetic means eliminating many of the uncertainties associated with offshore sourcing.
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Kinetic Die Casting Company, Inc. 6918 Beck Avenue, North Hollywood, California USA 91605 E-mail sales@kineticdiecasting.com (818) 982-9200 California Die Castings – Die Casting Photos – Technical FAQ – Die Casting Prices – Kinetic Die Casting Company What is Die Casting ? – Why Use Die Casting – Kinetic Abilities – Die Casting Offshore ? – Sand casting prices and die castings – Die Casting Tooling – Kinetic Newsletter |
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Posted in Aluminum Die Casting, Blogger, Die Casting Parts, Lighting, newsletter
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Competitors Parts Two Weeks
Dear Die Casting Competitor – A380 Aluminum Die Casting Parts Shipped To Our Competitor In Two Weeks.
Kinetic Die Casting
All die casting companies get into situations where we cannot deliver aluminum die casting parts to our customers, as we promised. Usually, this is caused by equipment downtime or problematic, long running die casting jobs in production. One of my customers complained last year that a die casting company was requiring a 12 to 14 week lead-time.
Many of our die casting jobs are for less than 1,000 die casting parts in A380 aluminum. We are constantly changing out our 12×15 units using A380 Aluminum once or twice a week. Many of our die casting jobs require 500 die casting parts, or less.
Consider sending Kinetic Die Casting Company your 12×15 unit die tool and we will setup and ship to you your required quantity, up to 1,000 parts made in A380 aluminum, in usually less than two weeks. Also, send us your trim die, if available, and we will die trim your parts. Otherwise, we will break the gates or sand and deburr the parts. You will specify the details in your purchase order. We can ship more than 1,000 parts if needed or establish regular deliveries in smaller quantities.
Of course, we will setup and run larger quantities of 5,000 or more, complete die casting tooling, and/or other die casting alloys. These die casting part deliveries will take a little longer. Call us to discuss your needs.
With that shipment you will also receive a CofC (Certificate of Conformance) with metal certifications from our metal supplier and a Certificate of U.S. Manufacture.
Call us or email us anytime to discuss, Save this email for when you get too busy later this year.
Kinetic Die Casting Company, Inc.
818-982-9200 or sales@kineticdiecasting.com
ps. It is sad that this needs to be mentioned. We have worked with die casting competitors in the past. Kinetic Die Casting has never “poached” customers. We have never contacted your customers directly if you send us a die casting part job to run.
Permalink: https://www.kineticdiecasting.com/kdc/competitors-parts-two-weeks/
Posted in Aluminum Die Casting, Blogger, Business, Competitors, Die Casting Parts, newsletter
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