Aluminum Alloys and Aluminum Castings

Aluminum is best known for its lightweight characteristics. It is most widely used in the form of alloys which also contain varying quantities of other elements such as iron, manganese, magnesium, silicon, copper and zinc.  The addition of these elements may enhance the strength of the final product, or contribute useful properties such as improved electrical or thermal conductivity. Aluminum alloys are used to manufacture components for the automotive, power transmission, electronics, computing, telecommunications industries, and more.

TYPES OF ALUMINUM ALLOYS

Wrought iron and aluminum alloys employ a specialized numerical identification system to describe the composition of wrought iron metal alloys and castings. The first digit represents the general class or series and indicates the primary alloy(s). A capital letter preceding the numerical description refers to modifications made to specific alloys. Aluminum castings end in “.0”.

In commercial specifications, aluminum alloys are usually divided into three categories: pure aluminum alloys, heat treatable alloys and non-heat treatable alloys.

Pure Aluminum Alloys

Pure aluminum alloys or the 1xxx series are comprised of at least 99% pure aluminum. Commonly used for transmission or power grid lines, these products display excellent corrosion resistance, workability and light weight.

Heat Treatable Alloys

Some types of aluminum alloys gain strength after heat treatments followed by quenching or rapid cooling. These metals typically fall within the 2xxx series (containing significant copper), 6xxx series (containing compounds of magnesium silicide) and 7xxx series (containing significant amounts zinc). A few 4xxx series alloys also do permit heat treatment, although the majority remain non-heat treatable.

Non-Heat Treatable Alloys

Non-heat treatable alloys generally require cold working, such as rolling or forging. Examples of alloys in this category include alloys in the 1xxx series (containing pure aluminum), 3xxx series (containing manganese), 4xxx series (containing silicon) and 5xxx series (containing magnesium).

Aluminum Casting

Aluminum casting remains the oldest, best-known way to form high quality precision parts inexpensively. It involves pouring molten metal into a mold to reproduce a desired form. Depending upon the composition of the alloys employed, metal parts manufactured in this way display several desirable properties. Features may include lightweight, high temperatures resistance, corrosion resistance, electrical conductivity, strength and good finishing characteristics.

zhmachining offers four different types of aluminum casting processes. The selection of aluminum alloys typically depends upon the availability and cost of a particular alloy, the comparative complexity of the casting design, and the customer’s preferred casting process. We perform the following casting processes in our facilities:

Sand Casting

A versatile, inexpensive, comparatively slow process, this casting process reproduces ornate surface designs accurately. It enables the casting of any size of part, including large parts. Available for A356.0, C355.0, 357.0, 443.0, 520.0 and 713.0 alloys.

Investment Casting

Producing superb exterior surfaces that often permit reduced reliance upon secondary finishing, investment casting produces intricate shapes using virtually any alloy. Available for these alloys: 208.0, 295.0, 308.0, 355.0, 356.0, 443.0, 514.0, 535.0, 712.0

High Pressure And Low Pressure Die Casting

We force molten metal into a steel die under pressure during this casting process. It suits high volume production methods in which parts require minimal machining and finishing. Available for these alloys: A380.0, 360.0, 380.0, 413.0, 518.0

Permanent Mold Casting (“Gravity Die Casting”)

We use this casting method in conjunction with cores of steel (or other metals) and molds to create stronger parts than we could produce using sand casting or die casting processes. Available for A356.0, A357.0, B443.0, C355.0,355.0,356.0, 366.0, and 513.0 alloys.

WHY CHOOSE US?

zhmachining possesses extensive experience working with aluminum alloys. Our dependable, high quality aluminum castings play important roles in machines used in a number of different industries. We can supply both functional and purely decorative metal parts manufactured according to precise customer specifications.  so that a particular component will fulfill its intended purpose within an assembly.

Our well-equipped and supplied facilities enable us to accommodate firm, narrow production deadlines. If you seek just-in-time delivery to avoid the need to expend money storing parts at your warehouse, count on our streamlined manufacturing process to assist you. We can also help you save significant sums of money by using our automated equipment to increase production rates. Our machines recommend cutting processes designed to avoid waste, enabling us to increase production volume while reducing scrap metal. This type of automation promotes better quality and improved manufacturing efficiency.

zhmachining supports customers fully throughout the process of choosing an appropriate aluminum alloy and casting and finishing high-quality parts. You can depend us to supply the types of in-demand finishing services competitive manufacturers rely upon today. Whether your aluminum castings require heat treatments, special coatings, machining, or sophisticated finishing surface treatments, our company possesses the skills and equipment to accomplish these manufacturing steps.

Contact zhmachining

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