What Determines the Cost of Aluminum Alloy Die Casting per Kilogram?

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The cost of aluminum alloy die casting per kilogram is not a fixed figure—it ranges from as low as ¥1.5/kg for simple standard parts to over ¥120/kg for highly complex precision components. This 80-fold difference stems from a mix of technical, produção, and demand-related factors. For manufacturers and buyers alike, understanding what drives these costs is critical to budgeting, Citações de negociação, 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 ComponentTypical Proportion (Total per kg Cost)Detalhes -chave & Calculation BasisBenchmarks da indústria (Ligas de alumínio)
Raw Material Cost40–60%(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
Processing Cost20–35%(Equipment hourly operation cost + labor cost) ÷ hourly output- Custo do equipamento: Includes depreciation (8–10-year lifespan) e energia (300-ton machine uses ~50kWh/hour)- Custo da mão -de -obra: Depends on automation (fully automated lines need 1–2 workers/line)Pequenas máquinas (<300 toneladas): ¥3–¥8/kg; large machines (>800 toneladas): ¥10–¥25/kg
Surface Treatment Cost5–20%Billed by area or weight; varies by process complexity- Simple processes (natural oxidation): Near-zero cost- Complex processes (micro-arc oxidation): Higher premiumSandblasting anodizing: ¥2–¥5/kg; plating/spraying: ¥8–¥15/kg
Mold Amortization Cost5–15%(Mold manufacturing cost + maintenance cost) ÷ total production quantity- Mold life: 50,000–100,000 shots (ADC12 molds)- Custo do molde: Simple molds (~¥5,000); complex molds (~¥50,000+)Pequenos lotes (<10k parts): ¥5–¥20/kg; grandes lotes (>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:

UM. 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 TonnageSuitable Part TypesProcessing Cost per kgKey Reason for Cost Difference
<300 toneladasSmall electronic parts (Por exemplo, Afotos de calor de LED, Altas do conector)¥3–¥8Uso de baixa energia (~30kWh/hour); high hourly output (100–200kg/hour)
300–800 tonsAuto Peças (Por exemplo, Capas de transmissão, Suportes de sensores)¥8–¥15Medium energy use (~50kWh/hour); balanced output (50–100kg/hour)
>800 toneladasLarge structural parts (Por exemplo, EV battery pack housings, Blocos do motor)¥15–¥25High energy use (~80kWh/hour); low output (20–50kg/hour); specialized maintenance

B. Part Structural Complexity (Multiplies Processing Costs)

Complex designs require more time, trabalho, and specialized tools—each adding to the per-kilogram cost.

Complexity LevelDesign FeaturesCost Multiplier (vs.. Peças Simples)Exemplo de partes & Custo por kg
SimplesFlat plates, no holes/undercuts; single parting line1.0xBasic brackets: ¥1.5–¥5
MédioSliders/cores (1–3), pequenos orifícios, simple threads1.5–3.0xAuto sensor housings: ¥30–¥60
AltoMulti-core linkage (>3), buracos profundos (<3mm diâmetro), paredes finas (<2milímetros), high-precision tolerances (± 0,05 mm)3.0–8.0xDrone mounts, quadros intermediários de telefone: ¥60–¥120+

C. Surface Treatment Requirements (Adds Value & Custo)

Surface treatments enhance aesthetics or performance but increase costs—some processes double the per-kilogram price.

Tratamento de superfíciePropósitoCusto por kg (Adicionado)Aplicações adequadas
Natural OxidationBasic corrosion resistance; no extra finish¥0–¥0.5Peças estruturais internas (no visibility requirements)
Sandblasting AnodizingAcabamento fosco; improved scratch resistance¥2–¥5Visible auto parts (Por exemplo, Aparo do painel), eletrônica de consumo
Micro-Arc OxidationMilitary-grade corrosion/heat resistance¥10–¥20Peças de alto desempenho (Por exemplo, EV motor housings, Componentes aeroespaciais)
Revestimento (Chrome/Nickel)Acabamento brilhante; alta resistência ao desgaste¥8–¥15Peças decorativas (Por exemplo, luxury car emblems, high-end appliance handles)

D. Volume do pedido (Drives Economies of Scale)

Large batches spread fixed costs (like mold manufacturing) across more kilograms—lowering the per-unit cost significantly.

Volume do pedidoImpacto de custo (por kg)RazãoExemplo: Auto Transmission Housing (Base Cost ¥12/kg)
<10,000 pedaços (Pequeno lote)+¥5–¥20High mold amortization (¥50,000 mold ÷ 10,000 pieces = ¥5/piece); startup losses¥17–¥32/kg
10,000–100,000 pieces (Medium Batch)+¥1–¥5Balanced mold amortization; optimized production rhythm¥13–¥17/kg
>100,000 pedaços (Lote grande)+¥0.5–¥1Low mold amortization; bulk material discounts; alta eficiência¥12.5–¥13/kg

3. Cenários de aplicação típicos: Cost per Kilogram Examples

Real-world costs vary by industry and part function. The table below shows common use cases with detailed cost breakdowns:

IndústriaPart NameKey Design/Process FeaturesCusto por kg (Total)Quebra de custos (por kg)
IluminaçãoLED Heat SinkThin-walled fins (2milímetros); no surface treatment; 200-ton machine¥18–¥25Material: ¥10–¥12; Processamento: ¥6–¥8; Mold Amortization: ¥2–¥5
AutomotivoTransmission HousingMulti-layer oil channels; 500-ton machine; sandblasting anodizing¥45–¥60Material: ¥15–¥20; Processamento: ¥15–¥20; Tratamento de superfície: ¥10–¥15; Mold Amortization: ¥5–¥10
Eletrônica de consumoQuadro intermediário do telefoneParedes finas (1.5milímetros); moldagem por injeção nano; polimento de espelho¥ 80–¥ 120Material: ¥ 20–¥ 30; Processamento: ¥ 40–¥ 60; Tratamento de superfície: ¥15–¥25; Mold Amortization: ¥5–¥10
AeroespacialMontagem de droneAlta resistência 6061 liga; Projeto oco; micro-arc oxidation¥ 55–¥ 70Material: ¥ 25–¥ 30; Processamento: ¥ 20–¥ 25; Tratamento de superfície: ¥10–¥15; Mold Amortization: ¥0,5–¥2 (Lote grande)

4. How to Get an Accurate Quote & Reduce Costs

Para evitar pagamentos excessivos e garantir transparência, siga estas etapas práticas:

UM. Prepare Information for Quotes

Os fabricantes precisam 4 detalhes importantes para fornecer um custo preciso por quilograma:

  1. 3Desenhos D: Marcar tolerâncias (Por exemplo, ± 0,1 mm), espessuras da parede, e recursos críticos (buracos, tópicos).
  2. Especificação de materiais: Especifique o grau da liga (Por exemplo, ADC12, 6061) e quaisquer certificações de materiais (Por exemplo, Rohs, Iatf 16949).
  3. Volume anual: Produção anual estimada (Por exemplo, 50,000 pedaços) para calcular a amortização do molde.
  4. Código de tratamento de superfície: Padrões de referência (Por exemplo, Anodizar Tipo II, ISO 10074) para evitar ambiguidade.

B. Cost Reduction Strategies

Cut costs without sacrificing quality using these 3 Métodos:

  1. Simplify Design: Reduce the number of sliders/cores (Por exemplo, merge two holes into one); increase wall thickness to ≥2mm (lowers processing difficulty).
  2. 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).
  3. 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 (Por exemplo, <¥1.5/kg for simple parts) often hide shortcuts that cost more later:

  • Corte de material: 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

Na tecnologia Yigu, we believe transparent cost breakdowns are key to building trust with clients. Para clientes automotivos, our 300–800-ton machine fleet delivers auto parts at ¥8–¥15/kg—balancing quality (Iatf 16949 certificado) e custo. For consumer electronics clients, our modular mold designs cut mold amortization by 30%, lowering the per-kilogram cost of phone frames to ¥80–¥100 (vs.. industry averages of ¥100–¥120).

We’re optimizing two areas to reduce costs further: 1) Controle de processo orientado a IA (cuts scrap rates by 15%, lowering material waste costs); 2) Closed-loop recycling (reutiliza 95% of aluminum scrap, 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.

Perguntas frequentes

  1. Why does the same part have different per-kilogram costs from different manufacturers?

Costs vary due to 3 fatores: 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.

  1. Can I reduce mold amortization costs for small-batch orders (<10,000 pedaços)?

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). Por exemplo, a shared mold for LED heat sinks can cut amortization from ¥5/kg to ¥1–¥2/kg for small batches.

  1. 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 (Por exemplo, Suportes), ADC12 is ideal. Para peças de alta resistência (Por exemplo, montagens de drones), 6061 is worth the extra ¥6–¥8/kg—its tensile strength (310MPA vs.. ADC12’s 230MPa) prevents part failure.

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