Machined Aluminum vs Cast Aluminum, What’s the Difference Between Them

2022.2.22

The heat dissipation and good appearance performance of aluminum alloy have surpassed the current plastic materials. The aluminum and its alloys are irreplaceable by plastic. There are multiple types of aluminum for the different manufacturing processes, what is the difference between machined aluminum and die cast aluminum?

What is Machined Aluminum?

Machined aluminum refers to the aluminum alloys used for CNC machining, usually turning and milling. The usage of CNC machined aluminum has increased significantly, aluminum 6061, aluminum 7075, and aluminum 2024 are common CNC machining aluminum alloys. The CNC machine is capable of producing one-of-a-kind and high-quality aluminum prototypes. CNC milling is the ideal aluminum machining process, the benefits are high accuracy and close tolerance. CNC aluminum machining technology has resulted in CNC parts and components that are used in a broad variety of applications.

What is Cast Aluminum?

Cast aluminum is a kind of aluminum that has undergone one of many casting processes. Aluminum is heated at very high temperatures and then molded and cooled to create a range of goods. Several typical aluminum casting molds include the following. Aluminum is well-known for its low weight, and cast aluminum is far lighter than wrought iron. Cast aluminum is a material that is often used in the manufacture of cookware. Additionally, this metal is utilized to manufacture outdoor furniture, engine parts for land vehicles and boats, including connecting rods, pistons, and housings.

Machined Aluminum vs Cast Aluminum, What’s the Difference?

1.  Material grades and types

The grades of machined aluminum and cast aluminum are different. Die casting aluminum alloy generally adopts A360, A380, ADC2, while alloy 6063, 6061, 7075, and 2024 is generally used for machining aluminum

 

2.  Appearance

Die cast aluminum is equivalent to the plastic injection molding process, which can produce any shape. The shell on the street lamp is generally made of die cast aluminum. The machined aluminum adopts the shape of the equal cross-section with little change, such as the heat sink of bulb lamp and the aluminum profile of doors and windows.

 

3.  Thermal conductivity

The general conductivity of die cast aluminum is about 80-90w / m.k, while the thermal conductivity of machined aluminum is about 180-190w / M.K.

 

4.  Cost

The cost of die casting and machining aluminum is relative, which is calculated by weight and machining. Calculate the cost according to the real-time material price and labor. Relatively speaking, the cost of die-casting aluminum is higher, but the specific situation should be analyzed in detail.

 

5.  Production efficiency

The production efficiency of injection molding must be higher. Mass production generally produces more than 1000 pieces a day, and the size is stable, and the shrinkage is 0.5%. Machining aluminum has more components. As the name suggests, it is car aluminum. The efficiency is naturally lower.

 

6.  Application

Die cast aluminum is generally widely used in automobiles, street lamps, and now the mobile phone industry. Machined aluminum is widely used in downlights, ceiling lamps, doors and windows, and so on.

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