Die Casting Tooling

The high tungsten content of Wolfmet HM 490 significantly increases the operating life of die casting tooling (such as spreaders, sprue bushes and core pins) compared with steel or cast iron components. This enables a longer production run time with fewer maintenance breaks for cleaning or replacing parts, resulting in significant cost benefits.

Wolfmet HM 490 has good resistance to thermal cycling which prevents cracking or heat-checking. It also has excellent resistance to erosion, which reduces metal pick-up.

Benefits of using Wolfmet HM 490 Tungsten Alloy in Aluminium or Brass Die Casting Components:

• Longer service life than parts made from iron or steel
• Longer production run time with fewer maintenance breaks for cleaning or replacing parts
• Excellent cost benefits resulting from longer component life
• Improved surface finish of castings
• Reduced metal pick-up, which reduces the risk of contamination of castings, which can occur when iron sprue brushes are used
• No requirement for any chemical treatment before use*
• Good resistance to thermal cycling preventing cracking or heat-checking
• Excellent hot wear resistance to erosion, thus reducing metal pick-up
• Good resistance to soldering
• Non-wetting properties

*A good initial working skin can provide a greater service life and lower tool maintenance costs. This can be achieved by heating Wolfmet HM 490 tools in air before use, to oxidise the outer layer. Ideally, the temperature should be at least 400°C. A coat of die dressing should then be applied and the tool heated again to bake the dressing on.

Die Casting Components Commonly Made from Wolfmet HM 490 Tungsten Alloy:

• Spreaders
• Sprue brushes
• Core pins 
• Filler rods for die repair

For HM 490 technical data or more information about Wolfmet and how we can help you with your project, please contact us via [email protected] or talk to us today by calling +44 (0)161 864 5454.