Hot Chamber Die Casting vs. Cold Chamber Die Casting |Differences |Echofast

Die casting is a highly effective manufacturing process where molten metal is forced into a mold cavity under high pressure. Die castings boast a very good surface finish and dimensional consistency. It is a popular technology used to produce top-quality prototypes and smooth and well-dimensional products. It is completed in one of two ways: cold chamber die casting and hot chamber die casting.

What is Cold Chamber Die Casting?

Cold chamber die casting is a process that uses cold metals to create reusable and denser metal dies. These metals have a high melting temperature, including aluminum, magnesium, and copper. In reality, it is carried out in a cold chamber die casting machine in which the metal is molten in a container separate from the machine. Then, the molten metal into the mold, and the final shape of parts is formed. And the process is known as cold chamber die casting for the reason that the die casting machine itself remains cool.

Advantages of Cold Chamber Die Casting

Cast high-quality metals with a high melting point such as aluminum, magnesium, and copper alloys.

Reduce the damage of the die casting machine by handling high-temperature metals in an easier way.

Create denser metal castings.

Affordable maintenance cost results from the lower production cost.

Increased Strength & Weight

Dimensional Accuracy & Stability

High-Speed Production

Simplified Assembly

Multiple Finishing Techniques

Disadvantages of Cold Chamber Die Casting

Potential risks for accidents and blowback during the injection of metals

The longer production process due to manual handling of molten metal. Take up more space, more manual operation

A high level of oxidation and other contaminants have an impact on the quality of the product

What Is Hot Chamber Die Casting?

Hot chamber die casting, known as gooseneck casting, requires a die with a cavity that is filled with molten metal. Once the metal cools and solidifies, the die opens, therefore ejecting the final part with the desired shapes. As a result, a typical process cycle is completed. The process is similar to cold chamber die casting. What makes hot chamber die casting different is that the metal is heated directly inside the casting machine instead of going to a separate furnace. This process is characterized by this built-in furnace. It is suitable for alloys with low melting points like lead, tin, zinc, and a few magnesium alloys. It is also ideal for the mass production of comparatively complex parts.

Advantages of Hot Chamber Die Casting

Fast cycle times (approximately 15 cycles a minute) because of the melting pot inside the hot chamber machine

The convenience of melting the metal in the casting machine

Less wasted material

A cheaper manufacturing process.

Reduced porosity and longer die life due to the resistance to dissolution or erosion of the related alloys

Disadvantages of Hot Chamber Die Casting

It is limited to use with low-melting point metals like zinc-, tin-, magnesium- , and lead-based alloys (aluminium cannot be used).

Only cost-effective for a high volume of products.

The final product’s shape can be limited due to the process’s requirement of a high-pressure range and the limited metal fluidity.

Differences Between Cold Chamber Die Casting and Hot Chamber Die Casting

Metals

Cold chamber die casting is well suited to metals with a high melting point, such as aluminum, magnesium, and copper alloys. Hot chamber die casting is suitable for metals with a low melting point like tin alloys, zinc alloys, and lead alloys.

Temperature range

In the cold chamber die casting process, the cold chamber equipment deals with non-ferrous alloys of high temperature, the maximum of which is at or above 600°C. In contrast, the hot chamber equipment deals with non-ferrous alloys of low temperature,the maximum of which is around 450°C.

Furnace Location

As for cold chamber die casting, the melting furnace is located outside. On the contrary, the melting furnace is included when it comes to hot chamber die casting.

Production Time

Cold chamber die casting has a longer cycle because of the need to transfer the molten metal from the furnace to the cold-chamber machine.Hot chamber die casting has a faster production but may be less cost-efficient.

Tool Life

Hot chamber die casting Offers longer tool life when compared with cold chamber die casting.

Hot or Cold Chamber Casting, Which One is Better?

Both hot and cold chamber die casting are great processes to produce
metal parts. They have their own advantages and disadvantages. It is not easy to determine which process is better. Some factors should be taken into consideration, including the alloys to use , the quantity , the budget and timeline.
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