The heat transfer coefficient, h, during die filling has been measured for various die surfaces. The heat transfer coefficient has been found to vary strongly with the porosity of the surface, giving rise to an insulating air film at the interface. £¦#118alues vary from 400 W m-2 K-1 for a ceramic coated surface up to 10 000 W m-2K-1 for a finished die surface. Parameters such as velocity of flow, die temperature and alloy composition was found to have a limited influence on the h £¦#118alues