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Die casting in Aluminum A380 (die cast)
Aluminum A380 (die cast) is one of the most economical choices for die casting: fills walls of 0.060–0.120 in (1.5–3.0 mm) routinely, thinner on small parts. On a representative housing at 5,000 pieces it estimates at about $2.33 per part plus $21,823 tooling, with a lead time of 8–12 weeks. Typical tolerance is ±0.002–0.010 in (±0.05–0.25 mm) on the first inch, plus about ±0.001 in per added inch (NADCA precision to standard).
- Per part
- $2.33
- Tooling
- $21,823
- Lead time
- 8–12 weeks
Price it in A380
Housing · Die casting
Order total $34,062
- Tooling
- $21,823
- one-time, spread over the order
- Piece price
- $2.33
- before setup + tooling
- Lead time
- 8–12 weeks
- to first production
Size
Drag a row to adjust · click to type
Length140140 mm
Width90.090.0 mm
Wall2.202.20 mm
Quantity
Price per part falls as volume rises
Exact quantity50005000 pcs
Material
Design checks pass
Open in builderBudgetary estimate for a representative part. Firm quotes come from principals after drawing review.
A380 vs other die casting materials
The same housing at 5,000 pieces, priced in every material the process runs. A380 is the lowest all-in cost.
| Material | Per part | All-in | Weight | Tensile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aluminum A380 (die cast) | $2.33 | $6.81 | 196 g | 324 MPa |
| Zinc Zamak 3 | $3.22 | $7.05 | 478 g | 283 MPa |
| Zinc Zamak 5 | $3.35 | $7.18 | 478 g | 331 MPa |
A380 at a glance
- Tensile strength
- 324 MPa53th pct
- Yield strength
- 159 MPa5th pct
- Density
- 2.71 g/cm³51th pct
- Max service temp
- 150 °C55th pct
- Elongation
- 3.5 %5th pct
- Relative cost
- $$$$$
Bars are relative to the strongest, densest or hottest material in the SSG library. Percentile vs all 48 materials.
Strengths
- Fills walls of 0.060–0.120 in (1.5–3.0 mm) routinely, thinner on small parts
- Good pressure tightness and hot-crack resistance
- Tensile strength of 47 ksi (324 MPa) as cast with no heat treatment
- Machines well for tapped holes, bores and sealing faces
Watch for
- Low ductility, about 3.5% elongation; not for parts that must bend or absorb impact
- Gas porosity rules out conventional heat treatment and welding
- Anodizes gray and blotchy because of 7.5–9.5% silicon and 3–4% copper
- Moderate corrosion resistance because of the copper; coat parts for outdoor use
Die casting design rules
Aluminum 0.060–0.150 in (1.5–3.8 mm); zinc 0.040–0.100 in (1.0–2.5 mm)
Keep walls uniform
Aluminum about 1° outside and 2° inside; zinc about 0.5° outside and 1° inside
Add draft
Inside radius at least 0.040 in (1 mm)
Radius corners and fillets
Rib base about equal to nominal wall
Stiffen with ribs, not mass
Leave 0.010–0.030 in (0.25–0.75 mm) on machined surfaces
Minimize machining stock
Zinc at least 0.040 in (1 mm) diameter; aluminum at least 0.100 in (2.5 mm); depth no more than about 4× diameter
Size cored holes
Questions
How much does die casting in A380 cost?
For a representative part (open housing 140 mm × 90 mm × 36 mm, 2.2 mm wall, 1° draft, 4 bosses, 2 ribs), SSG's estimator gives about $2.33 per part at 5,000 pieces, plus about $21,823 one-time tooling. All-in with tooling and setup that is $6.81 per part. It is budgetary; principals quote firm prices from your drawing.
Is A380 a good material for die casting?
It is when you need fills walls of 0.060–0.120 in (1.5–3.0 mm) routinely, thinner on small parts and good pressure tightness and hot-crack resistance. Watch for low ductility, about 3.5% elongation; not for parts that must bend or absorb impact. Of 3 materials run in die casting, it ranks 1 on all-in cost for the same part.
What finishes work on A380 die casting parts?
Common options are bead blasted, vibratory deburr (tumbling), chem film (chromate conversion), powder coat, e-coat (electrocoat), wet paint (liquid coating). The builder adds each finish's lot charge, per-part cost and days to the estimate.
What tolerance can die casting hold in A380?
Typical capability is ±0.002–0.010 in (±0.05–0.25 mm) on the first inch, plus about ±0.001 in per added inch (NADCA precision to standard). Tighter tolerances are possible on called-out features at added cost; specify them on the drawing rather than as a blanket note.
Quote die casting in A380.
Upload your CAD or start from a template. The DFM check applies the rules above to your geometry.