Magnesium Die Casting: What It Is and How It Works

At Gurelan, Magnesium parts are manufactured using hot-chamber die casting, a technology that makes it possible to process this material to produce components for a wide range of industrial applications.

What Magnesium alloy does Gurelan use?

Gurelan works with the commercial alloy AZ91D Magnesium, whose chemical composition is specified in accordance with DIN 1729 3.5912.

This alloy consists mainly of Magnesium and also contains other elements such as aluminium, zinc and manganese.

The physical properties published by Gurelan for AZ91D Magnesium include:

• Density at 20 °C: 1.81 g/cm³.
• Melting range: 470–595 °C.
• Casting temperature: 625–700 °C.
• Solidification shrinkage: 0.6%.
• Thermal conductivity: 72 W/m × K.

Gurelan specifies that the properties indicated are for information purposes only and may vary depending on the casting conditions of the parts.

How is Magnesium die casting carried out?

Gurelan uses hot-chamber technology to manufacture both Magnesium and Zamak parts.

Die casting introduces the metal into the mould cavity under pressure, allowing the material to fill the geometry defined inside it.

The use of hot-chamber technology for Magnesium is also a particularly relevant feature of Gurelan’s process, as it enables compatibility and interchangeability with Zamak moulds.

What machinery does Gurelan use for Magnesium die casting?

Gurelan’s facilities are equipped with 14 hot-chamber die-casting machines, with capacities ranging from 20 to 200 tonnes.

All of them are equipped with feeders and extraction robots.

The availability of machines with different capacities makes it possible to select the most suitable one depending on characteristics such as the weight and dimensions of the part or the number of mould cavities.

Gurelan also has a centralised vacuum system, allowing this technology to be used simultaneously on any of its machines.

What role does the mould play in Magnesium die casting?

The mould is a fundamental element in obtaining the final geometry of a part manufactured by die casting.

Gurelan has the capability to design and manufacture its moulds in-house.

100% of the design work is carried out by its technical department, including aspects such as sprue location, overflow arrangement and the design of the filling channels.

To achieve this, Gurelan follows a CAD-CAM methodology and uses tools such as SolidWorks, Solid Edge, PowerSHAPE and PowerMILL.

It also has a dedicated machine shop for the manufacture and maintenance of moulds and dies.

Magnesium Die Casting at Gurelan

Gurelan specialises in the hot-chamber die casting of Magnesium parts, integrating mould design, manufacture and maintenance within its own facilities.

The combination of different injection capacities, in-house mould design, post-casting operations and technologies such as vacuum systems makes it possible to adapt the process to the characteristics of each part and the requirements of its final application.