Plastic Injection Molding and aluminum die casting are similar in a lot of ways: Both require a mold or tool to produce parts. The tooling cost is very similar in both industries. Both processes inject material into a mold to make parts. Both processes can make hundreds or thousands of parts every day. Plastic Injection Molded Parts  Advantages Plastic parts are produced at a lower temperature than aluminum parts, plastic melts at only a few hundred degrees Fahrenheit Plastic Parts weigh less than aluminum die casting parts. Disadvantages: Plastic is not typically biodegradable Plastic parts require metal inserts to hold a thread for screws. Plastic does not block EMI/RF waves Plastic Parts are not as strong. Aluminum Die Casting Parts Disadvantages Aluminum parts weigh more than plastic. Aluminum parts are produced in only one color and need paint or powder coat for color. Advantages Aluminum naturally shieds EMI/RF waves. Holes can be directly threaded into the parts. Features can be machined into aluminum. Aluminum has great thermal transference properties. Aluminum is a natural conductor of electricity. Aluminum material is environmentally friendly and can be recycled easily when done. All aluminum alloys (360, 380, 383, and 413) are made from recycled materials. Aluminum parts are stronger than plastic