What can be done to help assure longer life for a die casting die?
A. Die life is a function of many factors. Among them are part design, part configuration in the die, part quality expectations, type of tool steel used for the die, the heat treatment of the die and the type of alloy being die cast. An understanding of expected die life should be discussed in the initial phases of a project. Progressive die casters can provide tool steel specifications and heat treat specifications that have been developed through extensive NADCA research programs. The specifications include recommendations for stress relief during machining, the removal of the “white layer” after EDM operations and a number of other considerations, including special surface treatments.
