Sand casting and die casting are two manufacturing techniques widely used to make automotive parts. They are the enablers of innovation across the industry.

But while sand casting and die casting bears some similarity, understanding the differences in these two processes will require you to keep a few key things in mind.

What is Sand Casting?

When sand casting is employed, liquefied metal is poured into a void created by a sand mold. One of the major benefits of sand casting is the easy creation of sand molds and can be used with nearly any metals. They also offer superior flexibility in terms of the size, the shape and the weight of the parts, which makes them ideal for use with a range of different applications.

What is Die Casting?

The die casting process is similar in nature to sand casting, although there are a few important differences. The metal gets poured into what is called a die and, once it turns solid, it is then removed. Once that metal has been given ample time to cool down, the product is finished. The mold can then be immediately reused for the following casting session.

The major difference between sand casting and die casting is that the former requires virtually no pressure at all, while the latter actually depends on it. That hot metal is poured into the die under an intense amount of pressure, whereas with sand casting a simple ladle is used. Die casting is only suited for nonferrous metals such as aluminum and zinc. The benefits here are that die casting is a great way to enable faster production.

Only by carefully evaluating aspects of your project like the costs, the benefits of each project and more, will you be able to make the best possible choice in terms of which one is right for you.

If you’re interested in finding out more information about the major differences between sand casting and die casting, or if you just have any additional questions that you’d like to go over with a team of experts in a bit more detail, please don’t hesitate to contacting our team today.