Die-Castings for Photographic Appliances

J. C. Fox

Die-castings are defined as castings made by forcing molten metal into a metallic mold or die. The alloy most generally used is of the zinc base type, having a tensile strength of approximately 40,000 lbs. per sq. inch. For photographic appliances, the alloys of lower specific gravity are more desirable. Aluminum base alloys are used more extensively in photographic appliances for that reason. Physical properties of various aluminum die-casting alloys are given. — Since low specific gravity is of prime importance in castings used for photographic appliances, the development of the process of die-casting the lightest of all commercial metals, magnesium, is of particular interest to motion picture engineers. Magnesium is one-third as heavy as aluminum, and magnesium die-castings are now being used wherever light weight is important. Physical properties of magnesium die-castings are given. Reference is also made to die-casting brass and German silver, a recent development.

Print ISSN
Published
1938-04
Content type
Original Research
DOI
10.5594/J16601