Die Casting Alloys
Review the casting alloy with the part geometry, die design, secondary machining, finishing and acceptance requirements. A wrought machining grade is not a direct specification for a die-cast part.
Explore casting alloy families ↓
Material selection
Materials for Die Casting & CNC Machining
Compare common die-casting and machining material families, then confirm the exact grade and condition for your drawing.
Function · Process · Material
Start with the Manufacturing Route
A material family is the starting point. Confirm the exact grade, condition and product form for the intended process and component.
Machining Materials
Define the grade, stock form and material condition for machining. Review geometry, critical features, service environment and any heat treatment or finishing requirements together.
Explore material guides ↓
Casting alloy families
Materials for Die Casting
Explore the alloy-specific process guidance. Material choice and the proposed casting route are confirmed against the part and project requirements.
Aluminum Die Casting
Aluminum die casting for housings, covers and integrated components, with alloy, machining and finish selected for the part requirements.
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Zinc Die Casting
Zinc die casting for detailed housings, mechanisms and hardware, with service temperature, loading, mass and decorative finish reviewed together.
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Magnesium Die Casting
Magnesium die casting for weight-sensitive components, with alloy, stiffness, corrosion protection and production requirements assessed together.
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Copper Alloy Die Casting
Copper alloy die casting based on the exact grade, component function and process requirements, including tooling, machining and inspection.
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Metals & engineering plastics
Machining Materials & Family Guides
Review grade, condition and application requirements in each guide. Aluminum guidance also covers the distinction between wrought machining grades and casting alloys.
Aluminum
Compare wrought aluminum grades for CNC machining with die-casting alloys, including material condition, finishing and part requirements.
Review material →Stainless Steel
CNC machining of 303, 304, 316 and 17-4PH stainless steel, with grade, condition, corrosion exposure and finish defined for the component.
Review material →Steel
Machining common carbon, alloy and tool steels according to drawing, heat-treatment and finish requirements.
Review material →Titanium
CNC machining review for Grade 2 and Grade 5 titanium, covering material condition, critical geometry, surface integrity and traceability.
Review material →Copper Alloys
Machining copper and copper alloys for electrical, thermal, wear and industrial applications.
Review material →Engineering Plastics
Machining POM, PEEK, nylon, PTFE, PC and ABS with material-specific process planning.
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Material route comparison
Compare the Selection Factors
Use the comparison notes to identify questions for the drawing review. Grade, condition and process determine the requirements for the actual component.
| Family | Typical route | Selection factors | Required specifications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aluminum die-casting alloys | High-pressure die casting with secondary operations as required | Low density, integrated geometry and alloy-specific thermal properties | Wall section, porosity risk, heat-treatment limits, sealing and finish compatibility |
| Zinc die-casting alloys | High-pressure die casting with finishing or assembly as required | Fine detail, thin features, surface quality and dimensional repeatability | Part mass, corrosion protection, service temperature and plating requirements |
| Aluminum machining alloys | CNC milling, turning or combined machining | Machinability, strength-to-weight balance and anodizing options | Temper, stock form, distortion, cosmetic surfaces and thread requirements |
| Stainless steels | CNC machining with passivation or finishing as specified | Grade-specific corrosion resistance, strength and surface requirements | Grade, hardness, work hardening, passivation and surface finish |
| Carbon and alloy steels | CNC machining with heat treatment or coating as specified | Strength, wear resistance and heat-treatment flexibility | Grade, hardness, coating, distortion and corrosion protection |
| Copper alloys | CNC machining with plating or protection as specified | Grade-specific conductivity, wear behavior and corrosion resistance | Exact alloy, machinability, oxidation, plating and cost |
Turn a family into a controlled specification
Define the Material for Your Drawing
Material selection must connect function, manufacturing route and total delivered cost. The same family can contain grades with very different casting behavior, machinability, corrosion response, strength and finishing compatibility.
Use the comparison as an initial selection guide. Specify the material standard, exact grade, condition or temper, restricted-substance limits, required material records and permitted substitutions in the project documentation.
ZAODA reviews material together with geometry, process, tolerance, finish, inspection and service conditions before confirming feasibility.
Material definition checklist
- Grade & specification
- Exact designation, governing material specification and agreed edition.
- Condition & product form
- Temper, heat-treatment condition, hardness or stock form where applicable.
- Application & finish
- Loads, environment, temperature, critical interfaces and surface requirements.
- Records & alternatives
- Required material records, tests, traceability and explicitly approved substitutions.
Finish compatibility
Define coating or surface treatment, protected areas and appearance criteria with the selected material.
Surface finish review →Inspection & documentation
Agree the required material records, measurement conditions and any project-specific tests.
Inspection planning →Feature acceptance
Specify critical dimensions and whether acceptance applies before or after secondary operations.
Tolerance & acceptance review →Additional material reference data
- Material families
- Wrought metals · Casting alloys · Engineering plastics
- Definition required
- Grade · Condition · Standard · Certificates
- Route factors
- Function · Stock form · Process · Finish · Volume
Prepare the selection review
Material Questions & Engineering Guides
Can ZAODA help compare materials?
ZAODA can review candidate materials for manufacturability and finishing compatibility. The customer approves the final grade, condition, governing specification and permitted substitutions.
What information is needed to select a material?
Define the loads, operating environment, temperature, target life, critical dimensions, finish and production quantities. Specify required material tests and documentation.
How do I request a material review?
Submit the drawing and CAD revision, candidate materials, part requirements and production quantities through the request-for-quotation form.
Building a Practical Inspection Plan for Cast and Machined Parts
Translate drawing requirements and product risk into incoming checks, first-article inspection, in-process controls, final verification and shipment records.
Read engineering guide →How to Select a Surface Finish for Metal Parts
Select and specify finishes for cast and machined parts using material compatibility, service conditions, functional requirements and appearance criteria.
Read engineering guide →
Drawing · Candidate grades · Application
Review the Material for Your Part
Send the drawing, quantities and service requirements. If the grade is still open, list candidate materials and the performance or manufacturing questions you need to resolve.
Include with your RFQ
- Drawing/CAD revision and production quantities.
- Specified grade and condition, or candidates for review.
- Function, loads, operating environment and temperature.
- Critical dimensions, finish and delivery condition.
- Required tests, records and substitution restrictions.