High-Pressure Die-Casting: Contradictions and Challenges

High-pressure die casting (HPDC) is particularly suitable for high production rates and it is applied in several industrial fields; actually, approximately half of the world production of light metal castings is obtained by this technology. An overview of the actual status of HPDC technology is described in the current work, where both critical aspects and potential advantages are evidenced. Specific attention is paid to the quality requirements from the end users, as well as to the achievable production rate, the process monitoring and control, and the European and worldwide scenario. This overview leads to individuate the most relevant challenges for HPDC industry: "zero-defect" production, real-time process control, understanding the role of the process variables, process optimization, introduction of research and development activities, and disseminating the knowledge about HPDC technology. Performing these actions, HPDC foundries could achieve a more mature and efficient approach to large end users and exploit their really relevant potential.