The importance of die casting surface treatment

Once a structural component is finished in the die casting process, the process doesn't necessarily end there. In fact, there are a large number of surface treatments available - all designed to enhance the aesthetic and functional properties of your part. These include everything from adding a decorative touch to a product to improving its chemical or corrosion resistance. They're not always essential, but in some cases, they're a key element of the die casting manufacturing process; the final step in making sure your product is exactly what it's supposed to be.

Starting with die casting surface preparation
The die casting process and subsequent die cast finishes have a symbiotic relationship; in other words, they rely heavily on each other and work together to create the final product. For example, die castings that require special decorative finishes are produced in a manner that ensures that design features such as parting lines, gates, overflows and vents do not interfere with the intended appearance of the product. The cavity of the die casting may also need to be altered in some way to ensure that the surface of the die casting is suitable for a particular type of finish.
Ultimately, every step of the die casting process has an impact on the final product, and very small details can determine whether or not a customer's exact specifications are met. For this reason, it is important to discuss your expectations for the final product and what type of die cast finish you think you will need. This needs to be done at the very beginning of the design phase of the process, otherwise, poor results may occur.

A range of die cast finishes
It is easy to see the importance of die cast finishes. First and foremost, we ensure that your final parts are exactly what you had in mind - exactly what you want and to your component specification. Secondly, they can greatly enhance the quality and value of your component or product, making it more attractive to both you and your customers.

One of our main goals is to ensure that our customers are satisfied with their final die castings. We want to make sure that their components are fully compatible with their end use; a die casting that meets all specified requirements and fulfills its original intended use. That's why, as part of our specialist die casting service, we offer an extensive post-cast finishing program. These die-cast finishes are completed in-house, combining our strong technical capabilities, keen attention to detail and rigorous design process, and currently include:

Trimming
As the metal cools, excess metal is accurately and efficiently trimmed from the final casting. This process allows us to create crisp products with precise dimensions, and the excess material can then be recycled and reused throughout the die casting process.

Vibratory deburring
This is a well-known die casting surface treatment that relies on intense vibration and friction to effectively smooth and deburr die castings. A specialized machine is used to press the media onto the die cast part. Depending on the type of media used, different results are obtained.

Shot Peening
Shot peening is a finishing procedure usually used to clean die castings and prepare them for further processing. It is significantly more efficient than other cleaning methods and produces an exceptionally high quality and uniform finish over the entire surface of the casting.

Ball polishing
After die casting, parts usually have a very dull appearance. Ball polishing is a die casting surface treatment that effectively polishes parts. It is often used on smaller parts (as an alternative to shot peening) and is an excellent choice if you want to create a shiny surface.

Surface Paints and Coatings
A layer of paint, powder coating or PTFE can be added to the surface of a die cast part to improve its overall aesthetics and possibly personalize its appearance to your brand. Our die castings can also be successfully plated, and certain casting post-treatments can help produce corrosion protection and other useful properties.