Injection Molding
Tooling and molding for your repeat plastic parts.
FOR YOUR CAST PART
Cast Aluminum Alloys
Match Your Part to Its Casting Route.
Compare 5 aluminum casting materials against your geometry, finished dimensions, environment and inspection requirements.
Review Your Casting Drawing →Compare the 5 alloys ↓5 Cast Aluminum Alloys. 5 Different Starting Points.
Use aluminum casting alloy selection to connect your drawing designation with the finished-part requirements.
01
ADC12 Aluminum
For your specified JIS alloyConfirm the material standard, composition record, cast geometry and machined interfaces. A similar trade name does not authorize substitution.
ADC12 aluminum die casting
Explore ADC12 Aluminum →
02
A380 Aluminum
For your general-purpose die-cast housingReview the tool, wall transitions and finished-part requirements together. Keep the alloy callout explicit when comparing quotations.
A380 aluminum die casting
Explore A380 Aluminum →
03
A356 Aluminum / A356-T6
For your gravity, low-pressure or sand-cast partA356-T6 aluminum casting adds a specified heat-treatment condition. Agree the casting route, distortion allowances and test basis before machining.
A356 aluminum casting
Explore A356 Aluminum →
04
A383 Aluminum
For your intricate die-cast geometryReview die filling and difficult features with the caster. A383 and A360 remain separate alloy decisions; neither is an automatic replacement for A380.
A383 aluminum die casting
Explore A383 Aluminum →
05
A360 Aluminum
For your exposure-sensitive die-cast designDiscuss the operating environment, coating and production route. General alloy corrosion characteristics cannot replace application-specific verification.
A360 aluminum die casting
Explore A360 Aluminum →Part appearance cannot establish alloy chemistry. Coated and uncoated parts shown are illustrative concepts, not customer cases.
3 Casting Routes to Review Before Tooling
High-Pressure Die Casting
ADC12, A380, A383 or A360 as specifiedReview filling, tooling, ejection and porosity against the finished geometry. Keep secondary machining and leak requirements in the same scope.
Aluminum Die Casting →Gravity & Low-Pressure Casting
A356 and the specified conditionReview feeding, cores, heat treatment and machining allowance. A356 is not presented here as an ordinary high-pressure die-casting choice.
Gravity Die Casting →Sand Casting
Alloy and condition selected for your designFor die casting vs sand casting, compare the whole route: pattern or die, section changes, core needs, quantities and finished dimensions.
Sand Casting →Compare Alloys on the Same Finished-Part Scope
| Alloy | Typical route to review | Your selection question | Your purchase control |
|---|---|---|---|
| ADC12 | High-pressure die casting | Material standard and chemistry | Casting layout, finish and machined features |
| A380 | High-pressure die casting | Specified alloy and accepted geometry | Wall transitions, tool concept and inspection |
| A356 / A356-T6 | Gravity, low-pressure or sand casting | Casting route plus heat-treatment condition | Distortion, allowance and property verification |
| A383 | High-pressure die casting | Intricate geometry and die filling | Tool/flow review; approved alloy designation |
| A360 | High-pressure die casting | Exposure and casting practicality | Coating, service conditions and agreed tests |
Do not compare generic strength or hardness values without the product condition, test specimen and applicable specification. Cast test bars and finished castings may not give the same result.
NADCA describes A380 as a broadly used die-casting alloy, 383 as an option for intricate filling, and A360 as offering improved corrosion characteristics with greater casting difficulty. These are general selection pointers, not guaranteed part performance. Compare wrought aluminum alternatives →
4 Drawing Checks That Avoid Ambiguous Casting Quotes
Your sealing surfaces
Mark gasket lands, pressure boundaries and leak-test criteria. Do not infer pressure tightness from a photograph.
Your machined interfaces
Identify datums, bores, threads and machining allowance. Casting CNC machining should preserve enough material for the final tolerance.
Your section changes
Review ribs, bosses, corners, cores and transitions before committing to tool geometry.
Your trial acceptance
Agree sample quantities, critical features, finish approval and required records before tool release.
Aluminum Casting Finishing: Specify the Result You Need
Powder coating
Specify color, gloss, texture and masked surfaces. Review casting outgassing and surface preparation with the finisher.
Review finish requirements →Blasting & machining
Define the texture and cosmetic faces. Blasting is surface preparation or texture, not a standalone corrosion guarantee.
Review finish requirements →Anodizing or plating
Check suitability for the exact casting alloy and desired appearance. Silicon-rich cast alloys may not match wrought-alloy anodized color.
Review finish requirements →For plating, agree aluminum-specific pretreatment, adhesion, coating thickness and final fit. Color photographs are references for discussion, not approved production color standards.
Your Quality Records Should Answer 4 Specific Questions
Material identity
Request the alloy standard and available aluminum casting material certificates. Define lot identification and substitution approval.
Finished dimensions
Specify inspection datums, critical dimensions, sampling and report format. Separate as-cast and machined acceptance.
Special tests
State leak, pressure, heat treatment or other testing where your application needs it. Scope, criteria and records must be agreed.
Traceable delivery
Link the accepted revision, lot and requested documentation to the supplied parts. A COA, COC and dimensional report serve different purposes.
6 Inputs for Your Cast Aluminum Parts Review
01 Part CAD and controlled drawing revision
02 Alloy designation, standard and heat-treatment condition
03 Trial quantity, repeat demand and requested delivery
04 Machined datums, tolerances and sealing features
05 Finish, color reference and masking requirements
06 Inspection, testing and documentation requirements
Identify open questions rather than leaving them as implied approvals. Your review can then address the casting route, secondary operations and acceptance scope together.
Your Questions Before Selecting a Casting Alloy
Which cast aluminum alloy should I choose?
Start with your drawing, service environment, geometry and casting route. Compare the specified alloy and condition against the final part requirements. A general material comparison does not authorize substitution.
Are ADC12 and A380 interchangeable?
Do not assume they are. They use different alloy designations and standards. Confirm the applicable chemistry and acceptance requirements, then obtain approval for any proposed substitute.
Is A356-T6 a different alloy from A356?
No. A356 is the alloy designation; T6 is a heat-treatment condition. Keep them on one material decision path while identifying the required condition, test basis and dimensional checks.
Can A356 be used for high-pressure die casting?
This guide treats A356 primarily with gravity, low-pressure and sand casting. Specialized processes exist, but their suitability requires a separate alloy, process and qualification review.
What changes between A383 and A360?
They are different alloy specifications. Discuss intricate die filling for the A383 option and exposure/casting practicality for A360. Review actual part requirements rather than selecting on one isolated property.
Can a cast aluminum part be CNC machined?
Yes, when the casting design, material and allowance support the operation. Identify the datums, finished dimensions, fixtures and any porosity-sensitive surfaces before tooling.
Can you guarantee a cast part is leak-free?
No universal guarantee follows from an alloy name. Define the pressure boundary, test medium, pressure, duration, acceptance limit and required records for the actual part.
Can I request colored cast aluminum parts?
Discuss powder coating or another suitable finish with a physical or controlled color reference. Agree surface preparation, texture, gloss, masking and the approval sample. Anodized cast color may differ from wrought material.
