What aluminum alloys are most commonly used in engine die casting?
What Aluminum Alloys Are Most Commonly Used in Engine Die Casting?
A380: Versatile and Cost-Effective for Core Engine Parts
A380 aluminum alloy is the most widely used material in engine die casting due to its balance of castability, mechanical strength (~317 MPa), and pressure tightness. It is ideal for large-volume parts such as crankcases, valve covers, and transmission housings that require dimensional stability under heat and vibration.
A360: Enhanced Corrosion Resistance in Harsh Environments
A360 offers higher corrosion resistance and better ductility than A380, making it suitable for water pumps, marine engines, and humid or chemically exposed environments. It delivers excellent resistance to thermal fatigue in engine components with coolant contact or elevated temperatures.
AlSi10Mg: High Strength for Dynamic Engine Components
AlSi10Mg is commonly selected for performance-critical parts like cylinder heads, turbocharger casings, and load-bearing brackets. With improved fatigue resistance and dimensional stability, this alloy excels in parts exposed to repetitive thermal and mechanical stress.
AlSi12: Exceptional Fluidity for Intricate Engine Shapes
AlSi12 has high silicon content and superior castability, making it ideal for small, complex engine parts such as cooling junctions, housings, or manifolds. It ensures fine detail reproduction in thin-walled, high-precision die cast components.
Comparison of Key Engine-Grade Aluminum Alloys
Alloy | UTS (MPa) | Elongation (%) | Applications |
|---|---|---|---|
A380 | ~317 | ~3.5 | Crankcases, housings, engine blocks |
A360 | ~320 | ~4.5 | Marine pumps, wet area engine parts |
AlSi10Mg | ~340 | ~5.0 | Cylinder heads, turbo casings, engine brackets |
AlSi12 | ~280 | ~2.0 | Sensor mounts, thin-wall cooling system components |
Recommended Services for Engine Die Cast Parts
To meet structural and thermal demands in engine applications, Neway provides:
Aluminum Die Casting: Wide alloy options including A380, A360, and AlSi10Mg.
Tool and Die Making: High-durability molds for thermal cycling and long-run production.
Post-Processing Services: Finishing, machining, and coating for sealing surfaces and assembly readiness.
Our solutions are engineered to meet exacting performance standards for engine parts operating in heat, vibration, and load-intensive environments.
