What is Gravity Die Casting (GDC)?

How does the gravity die casting process work? 

 

Gravity die casting was one of the very earliest processes to be invented for metal and light alloy die casting. In this process which can be fully automated, the molten metal is poured directly from a ladle into a semi-permanent or permanent die.

 

The goal is to fill the die with minimum turbulence through one or more channels to reduce oxidation and foaming. This minimises porosity and inclusions, giving optimum metal characteristics in the final casting.

 

Gravity die casting equipment can have a vertical or horizontal mould opening, or tilting technology with 0/90 ° or 0/120 ° tilting provides an alternative. With tilting die-casting, the metal flow at the die inlet is controlled by the tilting angle and speed of the die.

 

Advantages of the tilting gravity die casting process

 

One of the advantages of tilting gravity die casting is that it can produce dense, high quality castings with excellent mechanical attributes like strength and stiffness. That makes it very suitable for demanding automotive applications like brake system and suspension components.

 

Gravity die casting technology’s main advantages include:

 

suitability for high-volume, automated production

minimum investment required for small and medium volume production

produces parts with excellent mechanical properties that are also suitable for heat treatment

As sand cores can be placed within the mould, gravity die casting can also produce parts with complex shapes.

 

Application

 

Gravity die casting technology is ideal for diverse complex aluminium casting production of automotive parts such as: turbos, brake calipers, knuckles, engine cylinder heads, engine blocks and pistons. It suits many other industries too, from lighting components to kitchen tools.