Die casting is the preferred manufacturing process for large runs of complex metal parts because of its reliability, accuracy, and versatility. Both cold chamber and hot chamber die casting method follow the same general approach, but they differ in machinery setup and molten metal delivery. Choosing the right method will depend on if the project is a one - time part development, the part's application, and which metal will satisfy the manufacturer's needs.
What Are the Benefits of Hot Chamber Die Casting?
Hot chamber die casting method has a lot of benefits. But its only drawback is that die casting alloys that have high melting points are not compatible with this method. However, the benefits of this process are:
In this casting process, the metal melts inside the pot of the machine furnace rather than melting in a pot that is detached from the machine. This reduces the delivery time of the liquid metal from the cylinder to the cavity. For this reason, the production cycle speeds up.
This process produces minimal waste as in this casting process because of the liquid metal's quick transfer. This process also reduces the chance of having defects such as blisters and porosity in the final part.
Manufacturers use metal alloys with a low melting point in this casting method and so the die casting molds and other components of the die cast machine achieve a longer life.
Why Aluminum Alloys Are Not Suitable for Hot Chamber Die Casting?
Aluminum alloys have a higher melting point than certain casting metals such as zinc or lead. For this reason, the furnace of the machine of the hot chamber method cannot withstand the heat to melt aluminum alloys. If aluminum die-casting was done by hot chamber casting, it would damage the furnace or the pot where the metal melts. It would also damage other components of the machine, for example, the gooseneck, the nozzle, the cylinder, etc. This is why manufacturers produce aluminum alloy parts using the cold chamber method rather than the hot chamber. Here, manufacturers melt aluminum alloys in a separate furnace and then pour them into the shot chamber using a ladle.
What Are the Differences and Similarities between Hot and Cold Chamber Casting?
Hot and cold chamber casting has both similarities and differences in the process. The main differences between the two methods are:
The similarities between the two casting processes are as follows: