THE 2004 MARKET FOR HIGH-PRESSURE DIE CASTINGS: With Market Forecasts Through 2006

SCOPE OF THE REPORT

This study analyzes the state of the U.S. high-pressure die casting industry. The purpose of this report is to quantify supply, demand, and trade conditions existing in the market; analyze trends influencing the market; and describe the competitive structure of the industry.

High-pressure die casting is a process for forming metal shapes from molten material, most typically nonferrous metals such as aluminum, magnesium, and zinc. The process is further characterized by the use of steel molds (dies) operated at low temperatures (relative to the temperature of the metal being cast) and the application of high pressures (up to 7,000 pounds per square inch) to fill the molds.

High-pressure die castings are typically cast to near the final required shape, with a minimum of subsequent machining required. Maintaining a low temperature on the die promotes rapid cooling of the castings and results in a relatively fine metallurgical grain structure, providing a relatively high ratio of strength to weight. The application of high pressure during the filling of the die allows for effective filling of extremely thin sections relative to other casting processes. These positive features make high-pressure die casting the process of choice when the parts to be produced are required in some volume (to justify the cost of tooling) and when the parts are of a size that can be accommodated on the die casting machines available.

Casting processes excluded from consideration in this report include sand casting, precision investment (lost wax) casting, and permanent mold casting (sometimes known as "gravity die casting" outside the U.S.). The report also excludes pressure casting of precious metals, along with other metal-forming processes such as stamping, forging, extrusion, impact extrusion, and roll forming.