Centrifugal Die Casting: Process, Types & Applications

Centrifugal die casting is a family of casting processes in which a rotating mold uses centrifugal force - rather than a plunger - to distribute and press molten metal against the die walls. It is the standard process for rotationally symmetric parts such as pipes, cylinder liners, bushings, rings, and wheels, where it produces dense, low-porosity castings without a central core.

It should not be confused with high pressure die casting (HPDC), which fills a stationary die by piston injection. For the full process landscape, see types of die casting.

---

How Centrifugal Die Casting Works

1. Mold rotation - A steel or cast iron die spins on a horizontal or vertical axis, typically at 300-3,000 rpm depending on part diameter.
2. Pouring - A measured volume of molten metal is introduced into the rotating mold through a pouring basin or launder.
3. Distribution under centrifugal force - Centrifugal acceleration of 60-100 g drives the metal outward against the mold wall, where it forms a uniform annular layer.
4. Directional solidification - The casting solidifies from the outer wall inward; lighter oxides and inclusions migrate to the inner surface (the bore), where they are removed by boring.
5. Extraction and finishing - Rotation stops, the casting is removed, and the bore is machined to final dimension.

Because solidification happens under continuous pressure, shrinkage porosity is largely eliminated and mechanical properties exceed those of static sand or gravity castings in the same alloy.

---

The Three Variants

Variant	Geometry	Typical Parts
True centrifugal casting	Pure rotation about the part axis; no core needed - the bore forms naturally	Pipes, cylinder liners, tubes, sleeves
Semi-centrifugal casting	Rotation about a vertical axis with a central core; feeds rims and hubs	Wheels, pulleys, gears, impellers
Centrifuging	Multiple cavities arranged around a central sprue, like spokes	Small symmetric parts, jewelry, valve components

---

Centrifugal vs High Pressure Die Casting

Factor	Centrifugal Die Casting	HPDC
Fill force	Rotation (60-100 g)	Plunger injection (10-175 MPa)
Best geometry	Rotationally symmetric	Complex 3D shapes, thin walls
Porosity	Very low; inclusions self-separate	Moderate; vacuum assist improves
Alloys	Cast iron, steel, bronze, aluminum	Aluminum, zinc, magnesium
Wall thickness	Thick sections typical	1.2-4 mm typical
Cycle time	Minutes	30-120 seconds
Tooling cost	Low to moderate	Moderate to high

Rule of thumb: if the part is a pipe, liner, ring, or bushing, centrifugal casting is usually the right answer. If it is a complex housing, bracket, or enclosure with thin walls and tight tolerances, HPDC is the right answer - see the die casting process overview.

---

Alloys and Applications

Centrifugal casting handles a wider alloy range than HPDC, including ferrous metals:

• Cast iron and steel - pipes, cylinder liners, rolls
• Bronze and brass - bushings, bearings, worm wheels
• Aluminum alloys - wheels, pulleys, rings where low porosity matters
• Stainless and nickel alloys - furnace rollers, petrochemical tubes

Typical applications: water and oil pipeline sections, engine cylinder liners, bearing bushings, brake drums, gear blanks, and large-diameter seals.

---

When Centrifugal Casting Is NOT the Right Choice

• Non-symmetric geometry - bosses, ribs, and off-axis features cannot form correctly under rotation
• Thin-wall complexity - HPDC fills 1.2 mm walls with fine detail; centrifugal processes do not
• Very high volumes of small parts - hot or cold chamber die casting delivers far lower unit cost

For those programs, KastMfg runs high pressure die casting, low pressure die casting, gravity die casting, and squeeze casting in aluminum, zinc, and magnesium - and we will tell you at RFQ stage if your part belongs to a different process family.

---

Frequently Asked Questions

Is centrifugal die casting the same as die casting?

No. Conventional die casting injects metal into a stationary steel die under high pressure. Centrifugal die casting rotates the mold and uses centrifugal force for fill and feeding. They serve different part geometries.

What is the difference between true centrifugal and semi-centrifugal casting?

True centrifugal casting rotates the mold about the part's own axis and forms the bore without a core - used for pipes and liners. Semi-centrifugal casting uses a central core and rotation mainly to feed the rim - used for wheels and pulleys.

Why are centrifugal castings denser than gravity castings?

Centrifugal force maintains feeding pressure throughout solidification and drives lighter impurities to the bore, where they are machined away. The result is a dense outer structure with minimal shrinkage porosity - see gas porosity and shrinkage porosity for how porosity behaves in pressure die casting.

Related Process Guides

• Types of die casting — process variants compared
• Die casting process — end-to-end overview
• Gravity die casting — the non-pressurized alternative

---

Process selection support: yaoqingpu1983@gmail.com | +86 138 1403 4409 | Request a quote