Editing Die casting (section)

{{Short description|Metal casting process}}
[[File:BMW 6-cylinder block Al-Mg.jpg|300px|thumb|An [[Cylinder block|engine block]] with aluminum and magnesium die castings]]'''Die casting''' is a [[casting (metalworking)|metal casting]] process that is characterized by forcing [[molten]] [[metal]] under high pressure into a [[mold cavity]]. The mold cavity is created using two hardened [[tool steel]] [[die (manufacturing)|die]]s which have been machined into shape and work similarly to an [[injection molding|injection mold]] during the process. Most die castings are made from [[non-ferrous metal]]s, specifically [[zinc]], [[copper]], [[aluminium]], [[magnesium]], [[lead]], [[pewter]], and [[tin]]-based alloys. Depending on the type of metal being cast, a hot- or cold-chamber machine is used.

The casting equipment and the metal dies represent large capital costs and this tends to limit the process to high-volume production. Manufacture of parts using die casting is relatively simple, involving only four main steps, which keeps the incremental cost per item low. It is especially suited for a large quantity of small- to medium-sized castings, which is why die casting produces more castings than any other casting process.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.diecastingdesign.org/advantages|title=Die Casting vs Other Processes|language=en-US|access-date=2016-09-16|archive-date=2016-09-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160923161705/http://www.diecastingdesign.org/advantages|url-status=dead}}</ref> Die castings are characterized by a very good [[surface finish]] (by casting standards) and dimensional consistency.