Le coût du moulage sous pression en alliage d'aluminium par kilogramme n'est pas un chiffre fixe : il varie de 1,5 ¥/kg pour des pièces standard simples à plus de 120 ¥/kg pour des composants de précision très complexes.. Cette différence de 80 fois résulte d'un mélange de facteurs techniques, production, et facteurs liés à la demande. Pour les fabricants et les acheteurs, understanding what drives these costs is critical to budgeting, negotiating quotes, and avoiding hidden expenses. But what exactly makes up the per-kilogram cost? How do factors like equipment size or surface treatment affect the price? And how can you get an accurate estimate for your specific project? This article answers these questions with detailed data, industry benchmarks, and practical guidance.
1. Breakdown of Aluminum Alloy Die Casting Cost per Kilogram
To understand the final price, we first need to unpack its core components. The table below details each part of the per-kilogram cost, its typical proportion, and calculation logic:
| Cost Component | Typical Proportion (Total per kg Cost) | Key Details & Calculation Basis | Références de l'industrie (Alliages d'aluminium) |
| Raw Material Cost | 40–60% | (Aluminum alloy price + waste loss rate × alloy price) × part density- Waste loss rate: 8–15% (higher for complex parts with thin walls)- Common alloy prices: ADC12 (~¥22/kg), 6061 (~¥28/kg) | ADC12-based parts: ¥9–¥15/kg; 6061-based parts: ¥12–¥20/kg |
| Coût de traitement | 20–35% | (Equipment hourly operation cost + labor cost) ÷ hourly output- Equipment cost: Includes depreciation (8–10-year lifespan) et de l'énergie (300-ton machine uses ~50kWh/hour)- Labor cost: Depends on automation (fully automated lines need 1–2 workers/line) | Small machines (<300 tonnes): ¥3–¥8/kg; large machines (>800 tonnes): ¥10–¥25/kg |
| Surface Treatment Cost | 5–20% | Billed by area or weight; varies by process complexity- Simple processes (natural oxidation): Near-zero cost- Complex processes (micro-arc oxidation): Higher premium | Sandblasting anodizing: ¥2–¥5/kg; plating/spraying: ¥8–¥15/kg |
| Mold Amortization Cost | 5–15% | (Mold manufacturing cost + maintenance cost) ÷ total production quantity- Mold life: 50,000–100,000 shots (ADC12 molds)- Coût du moule: Simple molds (~¥5,000); complex molds (~¥50,000+) | Petits lots (<10k parts): ¥5–¥20/kg; gros lots (>100k parts): ¥1–¥3/kg |
2. Key Factors Influencing Cost per Kilogram: Quantitative Analysis
Several factors directly push the per-kilogram cost up or down. Below is a detailed breakdown of the most impactful ones, with data on how much they can shift prices:
UN. Equipment Tonnage (Sets the Processing Cost Benchmark)
The size of the die-casting machine determines the base processing cost—larger machines have higher depreciation and energy expenses.
| Machine Tonnage | Suitable Part Types | Processing Cost per kg | Key Reason for Cost Difference |
| <300 tonnes | Small electronic parts (par ex., Dissipateurs de chaleur LED, boîtiers de connecteurs) | ¥3–¥8 | Low energy use (~30kWh/hour); high hourly output (100–200kg/hour) |
| 300–800 tonnes | Auto parts (par ex., carters de transmission, supports de capteur) | ¥8–¥15 | Medium energy use (~50kWh/hour); balanced output (50–100kg/hour) |
| >800 tonnes | Grandes pièces de structure (par ex., EV battery pack housings, blocs moteurs) | ¥15–¥25 | High energy use (~80kWh/hour); low output (20–50kg/hour); specialized maintenance |
B. Part Structural Complexity (Multiplies Processing Costs)
Complex designs require more time, travail, and specialized tools—each adding to the per-kilogram cost.
| Complexity Level | Design Features | Cost Multiplier (contre. Simple Parts) | Example Parts & Cost per kg |
| Simple | Flat plates, no holes/undercuts; single parting line | 1.0x | Basic brackets: ¥1.5–¥5 |
| Moyen | Sliders/cores (1–3), petits trous, simple threads | 1.5–3.0x | Auto sensor housings: ¥30–¥60 |
| Haut | Multi-core linkage (>3), trous profonds (<3mm diamètre), parois minces (<2mm), high-precision tolerances (±0,05 mm) | 3.0–8.0x | Drone mounts, phone middle frames: ¥60–¥120+ |
C. Surface Treatment Requirements (Adds Value & Coût)
Surface treatments enhance aesthetics or performance but increase costs—some processes double the per-kilogram price.
| Traitement de surface | But | Cost per kg (Ajouté) | Suitable Applications |
| Natural Oxidation | Basic corrosion resistance; no extra finish | ¥0–¥0.5 | Internal structural parts (no visibility requirements) |
| Sandblasting Anodizing | Finition mate; improved scratch resistance | ¥2–¥5 | Visible auto parts (par ex., garniture du tableau de bord), électronique grand public |
| Micro-Arc Oxidation | Military-grade corrosion/heat resistance | ¥10–¥20 | Des pièces performantes (par ex., EV motor housings, composants aérospatiaux) |
| Placage (Chrome/Nickel) | Shiny finish; haute résistance à l'usure | ¥8–¥15 | Pièces décoratives (par ex., luxury car emblems, high-end appliance handles) |
D. Order Volume (Drives Economies of Scale)
Large batches spread fixed costs (like mold manufacturing) across more kilograms—lowering the per-unit cost significantly.
| Order Volume | Cost Impact (par kg) | Reason | Exemple: Auto Transmission Housing (Base Cost ¥12/kg) |
| <10,000 pièces (Petit lot) | +¥5–¥20 | High mold amortization (¥50,000 mold ÷ 10,000 pieces = ¥5/piece); startup losses | ¥17–¥32/kg |
| 10,000–100,000 pieces (Medium Batch) | +¥1–¥5 | Balanced mold amortization; optimized production rhythm | ¥13–¥17/kg |
| >100,000 pièces (Large Batch) | +¥0.5–¥1 | Low mold amortization; bulk material discounts; haute efficacité | ¥12.5–¥13/kg |
3. Typical Application Scenarios: Cost per Kilogram Examples
Real-world costs vary by industry and part function. The table below shows common use cases with detailed cost breakdowns:
| Industrie | Part Name | Key Design/Process Features | Cost per kg (Total) | Cost Breakdown (par kg) |
| Éclairage | LED Heat Sink | Thin-walled fins (2mm); no surface treatment; 200-ton machine | ¥18–¥25 | Matériel: ¥10–¥12; Traitement: ¥6–¥8; Mold Amortization: ¥2–¥5 |
| Automobile | Transmission Housing | Multi-layer oil channels; 500-ton machine; sandblasting anodizing | ¥45–¥60 | Matériel: ¥15–¥20; Traitement: ¥15–¥20; Traitement de surface: ¥10–¥15; Mold Amortization: ¥5–¥10 |
| Electronique grand public | Phone Middle Frame | Thin walls (1.5mm); nano injection molding; mirror polishing | ¥80–¥120 | Matériel: ¥20–¥30; Traitement: ¥40–¥60; Traitement de surface: ¥15–¥25; Mold Amortization: ¥5–¥10 |
| Aérospatial | Drone Mount | Haute résistance 6061 alliage; hollow design; micro-arc oxidation | ¥55–¥70 | Matériel: ¥25–¥30; Traitement: ¥20–¥25; Traitement de surface: ¥10–¥15; Mold Amortization: ¥0.5–¥2 (large batch) |
4. How to Get an Accurate Quote & Reduce Costs
To avoid overpaying and ensure transparency, follow these practical steps:
UN. Prepare Information for Quotes
Manufacturers need 4 key details to provide an accurate per-kilogram cost:
- 3Dessins D: Mark tolerances (par ex., ±0,1mm), wall thicknesses, and critical features (trous, fils de discussion).
- Material Specification: Specify alloy grade (par ex., ADC12, 6061) and any material certifications (par ex., RoHS, IATF 16949).
- Volume annuel: Estimated yearly production (par ex., 50,000 pièces) to calculate mold amortization.
- Surface Treatment Code: Reference standards (par ex., Anodize Type II, OIN 10074) to avoid ambiguity.
B. Cost Reduction Strategies
Cut costs without sacrificing quality using these 3 méthodes:
- Simplify Design: Reduce the number of sliders/cores (par ex., merge two holes into one); increase wall thickness to ≥2mm (lowers processing difficulty).
- Leverage Integration: Merge multiple small parts into one integrated die-cast component (reduces assembly and mold costs—e.g., replacing 3 brackets with 1 saves ¥5–¥10/kg).
- Accept Minor Imperfections: For non-visible parts, skip expensive polishing; allow minor burrs (avoids ¥2–¥5/kg in manual sanding costs).
C. Avoid Low-Price Traps
Quotes below market averages (par ex., <¥1.5/kg for simple parts) often hide shortcuts that cost more later:
- Material Cutting: Using recycled aluminum with high impurity content (reduces part strength by 20–30%).
- Process Skipping: Omitting heat treatment (lowers tensile strength; risks part failure under load).
- Low-Quality Release Agents: Leaving residues that cause corrosion or adhesion issues.
5. Yigu Technology’s Perspective on Aluminum Alloy Die Casting per Kilogram
Chez Yigu Technologie, we believe transparent cost breakdowns are key to building trust with clients. Pour les clients automobiles, our 300–800-ton machine fleet delivers auto parts at ¥8–¥15/kg—balancing quality (IATF 16949 agréé) et le coût. For consumer electronics clients, our modular mold designs cut mold amortization by 30%, lowering the per-kilogram cost of phone frames to ¥80–¥100 (contre. industry averages of ¥100–¥120).
We’re optimizing two areas to reduce costs further: 1) Contrôle des processus piloté par l'IA (cuts scrap rates by 15%, lowering material waste costs); 2) Closed-loop recycling (reuses 95% de ferraille d'aluminium, reducing raw material costs by ¥2–¥3/kg). Our goal is to help clients get high-quality aluminum die cast parts at competitive per-kilogram prices—no hidden fees, no compromises on performance.
FAQ
- Why does the same part have different per-kilogram costs from different manufacturers?
Costs vary due to 3 factors: 1) Equipment efficiency (newer machines have lower energy use, reducing processing costs); 2) Material quality (premium alloys cost more but last longer); 3) Automation level (fully automated lines have lower labor costs than semi-automated ones). Always ask for a detailed cost breakdown to compare apples to apples.
- Can I reduce mold amortization costs for small-batch orders (<10,000 pièces)?
Yes—use shared molds (split mold costs with other clients for similar parts) or short-life molds (simplified designs that cost ¥1,000–¥5,000 vs. ¥50,000+ for standard molds). Par exemple, a shared mold for LED heat sinks can cut amortization from ¥5/kg to ¥1–¥2/kg for small batches.
- How much does changing the alloy grade affect the per-kilogram cost?
Alloy choice impacts material costs significantly: ADC12 (¥22/kg) is 20–30% cheaper than 6061 (¥28/kg). For non-load-bearing parts (par ex., parenthèses), ADC12 is ideal. For high-strength parts (par ex., drone mounts), 6061 is worth the extra ¥6–¥8/kg—its tensile strength (310MPa contre. ADC12’s 230MPa) prevents part failure.
