Die casting typically makes use of non-ferrous alloys. The four most common alloys that are die cast are shown below, along with brief descriptions of their properties. (Follow the links to search the material library).

The selection of a material for die casting is based upon several factors including the density, melting point, strength, corrosion resistance, and cost. The material may also affect the part design. For example, the use of zinc, which is a highly ductile metal, can allow for thinner walls and a better surface finish than many other alloys. The material not only determines the properties of the final casting, but also impacts the machine and tooling. Materials with low melting temperatures, such as zinc alloys, can be die cast in a hot chamber machine. However, materials with a higher melting temperature, such as aluminum and copper alloys, require the use of cold chamber machine. The melting temperature also affects the tooling, as a higher temperature will have a greater adverse effect on the life of the dies.

Many of the above defects are caused by a non-uniform cooling rate. A variation in the cooling rate can be caused by non-uniform wall thickness or non-uniform die temperature.