Effect of synergistic action of ultrasonic vibration and solidification pressure on tensile properties of vacuum counter-pressure casting aluminum alloy

The effect of synergistic action of ultrasonic vibration and solidification pressure on tensile properties of vacuum counter-pressure casting ZL114 A alloys was studied systemically through testing and analyzing the tensile strength and elongation subjected to different ultrasonic powers and solidification pressures. The results indicate that the synergistic action of ultrasonic vibration and solidification pressure can result in the refinement of grains and improvement of tensile properties. Both the highest tensile strength and elongation of aluminum alloy were obtained under synergistic action of 600 W ultrasonic power and 350 kPa solidification pressure. Moreover, the tensile fracture morphology shows obvious ductile fracture characteristics. When the solidification pressure is lower than 300 kPa, the effect of ultrasonic power on tensile strength and elongation is more obvious, but when the solidification pressure is higher than 300 kPa, the effect of solidification pressure on tensile strength and elongation is greater. Meanwhile, the size and morphology of the eutectic silicon were improved significantly by the ultrasonic vibration and pressurized solidification. The strip and massive eutectic silicon phase are completely converted into small short rod-like and evenly distributed Si phases at the grain boundary of primary α-Al.

Density and solidification feeding model of vacuum counter-pressure cast aluminum alloy under grade-pressuring conditions

The density of vacuum counter-pressure cast aluminum alloy samples under grade-pressuring condition was studied. The effect of grade pressure difference and time on the density of aluminum alloys was discussed, and the solidification feeding model under grade-pressuring condition was established. The results indicate the grade-pressured solidification feeding ability of vacuum counter-pressure casting mainly depends on grade pressure difference and time. With the increase of grade pressure difference, the density of all the aluminum alloy samples increases, and the trend of change in density from the pouring gate to the top location is first decreasing gradually and then increasing. In addition, in obtaining the maximum density, the optimal grade-pressuring time is different for samples with different wall thicknesses, and the solidification time when the solid volume fraction of aluminum alloy reaches about 0.65 appears to be the optimal beginning time for gradepressuring.

Study on Numerical Simulation of Mold Filling and Solidification Processes under Pressure Conditions

The mold filling and solidification simulation for the high pressure die casting (HPDC) and low pressure die casting (LPDC) processes were studied. A mathematical model considering the turbulent flow and heat transfer phenomenon during the HPDC process has been established and parallel computation technique was used for the mold filling simulation of the process. The laminar flow characteristics of the LPDC process were studied and a simplified model for the mold filling process of wheel castings has been developed. For the solidification simulation under pressure conditions, the cyclic characteristics and the complicated boundary conditions were considered and techniques to improve the computational efficiency are discussed. A new criterion for predicting shrinkage porosity of Al alloy under low pressure condition has been developed in the solidification simulation process.

Vacuum-sealed casting process under pressure

A new casting method, the vacuum-sealed mold casting under pressure, has been developed, and thin wall iron castings with high precision and smooth surface have been produced successfully with this casting method. The experimental results show that the liquid iron has a very excellent filling ability because a high negative pressure is formed in the mold cavity during filling process. The vacuum-sealed mold under pressure has very high compressive strength greater than 650 kPa, which is 3-4 times as high as that of the molds produced by high-pressure molding process or vacuum-sealed molding process.

Characterization of A390 aluminum alloy produced at different slow shot speeds using vacuum assisted high pressure die casting

The effects of vacuum assistance on the microstructure and mechanical properties of high pressure die cast A390alloy at different slow shot speeds were evaluated.Plate-shaped specimens of hypereutectic A390aluminum alloy were produced on a TOYO BD?350V5cold chamber die casting machine incorporated with a self-improved TOYO vacuum system.According to the results,the vacuum pressure inside the die cavity increased linearly with the increasing slow shot speed at the beginning of mold filling.Meanwhile,tensile properties of vacuum die castings were deteriorated by the porosity content.In addition,the average primary silicon size decreased from23to14μm when the slow shot speed increased from0.05to0.2m/s,which has a binary functional relationship with the slow shot speed.After heat treatment,microstructural morphologies revealed that needle-shaped and thin-flaked eutectic silicon particles became rounded while Al2Cu dissolved intoα(Al)matrix.Furthermore,the fractography revealed that the fracture mechanism has evolved from brittle transgranular fracture to a fracture mode with many dimples after heat treatment.

Newly developed vacuum differential pressure casting of thin-walled complicated Al-alloy castings

The newly designed vacuum differential pressure casting (VDPC) unit was introduced, by which the capabilityof the VDPC process to produce thin-walled complicated Al-alloy castings, that are free from oxides, gas pore andshrinkage cavity and thus enhance overall part quality, was studied. Experimental results were compared with those oftraditional gravity pouring and vacuum suction casting. The first series of experiments were focused on investigating thecastability of thin section Al-alloy casting. In the second series of experiments the metallographic evidence, castingstrength and soundness were examined. Finally, case studies of very interesting thin walled complicated casting applicationswere described. The advantages of the described technique have made possible to produce thin walled complicatedAl-alloy casting (up to a section thickness of 1 mm), which is not practical for gravity pouring and vacuum suction casting.

Effect of centrifugal counter-gravity casting on solidification microstructure and mechanical properties of A357 aluminum alloy

To investigate the influence of Centrifugal Counter-gravity Casting(C3) process on the solidification microstructure and mechanical properties of the casting, A357 aluminum alloy samples were produced by different process conditions under C3. The results show that C3 has better feeding capacity compared with the vacuum suction casting; and that the mechanical vibration and the convection of melts formed at the centrifugal rotation stage suppress the growth of dendrites, subsequently resulting in the refinement of grains and the improvement of mechanical properties, density and hardness. A finer grain and higher strength can be obtained in the A357 alloy by increasing centrifugal radius and rotational speed. However, casting defects will appear near the rotational axis and the mechanical properties will decrease once the rotational speed exceeds 150 r·min-1.

Effect of vacuum on porosity and mechanical properties of high-pressure die-cast pure copper

Pure copper tensile bars were produced by conventional die casting(HPDC) and vacuum-assist die casting(VADC) processes. Porosity and mechanical properties were investigated by using optical microscopy(OM), scanning electron microscopy(SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy(EDS), X-ray computed tomography(XCT) and tensile tester. Results show that porosities including gas porosity and shrinkage porosity could be observed in copper castings. Since the application of vacuum could reduce filling related gas entrapment and facilitate solidification due to the increased heat transfer between metal and die, both number and size of the entrapped gases, as well as shrinkage porosities were significantly reduced in vacuum-assist die castings of pure copper. The porosity fraction decreased from 2.243% to 0.875% compared with that of the conventional die casting. Besides, mechanical properties were improved significantly, i.e., by 15% for ultimate tensile strength and three times for elongation.

Microstructure and properties of vacuum counter-pressure cast aluminum alloy

The microstructure and properties of vacuum counter-pressure cast aluminum alloy were studied. Results indicated that under the condition of vacuum counter-pressure, liquid melts fill mould cavity under the vacuum and crystallize under high pressure which have very good effect on nucleation and solidification feeding. Compared with gravity casting, the microstructure of vacuum counter-pressure cast aluminum alloy is much finer and more uniformly distributed. Mechanical properties of vacuum counter-pressure cast aluminum alloy are improved significantly.

Principles and practice of low pressure-expendable pattern casting process for magnesium alloys

A newly developed low-pressure expendable pattern casting (LP-EPC) process was introduced and its basic principles or effect factors were further analyzed. According to theoretical calculation and experimental results, the major casting parameters that are of great and critical importance on the process include pressure and flux of filling gas, decomposition characteristic and density of foam pattern, thickness and permeability of coating, pouring temperature, vacuum degree and their combination. Most of casting defects can be effectively avoided by choosing the suitable parameters. The success achieved in pouring motor housing and exhaust manifold castings demonstrates the advantages of LP-EPC process in the production of high-complicated castings with high dimension accuracy.

Simulation of fuzzy control systems for nonferrous alloy vacuum counter-pressure casting

Through simulation analyses of vacuum counter-pressure casting fuzzy control systems based on MATLAB, fuzzy control systems designed by simulation can track technical route established well. When transmission functions of vacuum counter-pressure casting controlled objects are changed in operation, fuzzy control systems can carry on self-regulation and stabilize quickly, and embody the advantages of fleet response velocity and little adjusting quantity. The design of vacuum counter-pressure casting fuzzy control systems is accelerated and improved greatly by simulation based on MATLAB. Meanwhile, their design is accurate and reliable. Moreover, microstructure and properties of thin-wall aluminum alloy castings are improved effectively by using fuzzy control systems.

Effect of vacuum on solidification process and microstructure of LFC magnesium alloy

Lost foam casting (LFC) is regarded as a cost-effective, environment-friendly vital option to the conventional casting process for production of near-net shape castings with high quality. Effect of vacuum on the solidification process and microstructure of LFC magnesium alloy were explored. The results indicate that vacuum plays a very important role in the heat transfer during mould filling and solidification periods, it increases the cooling rate of the filling melt, but greatly decreases the cooling rate of the casting during solidification period, and the solidification time of the casting is greater than that without vacuum. The microstructure of LFC magnesium alloy is rather coarse. Compared with that without vacuum, the microstructure of the LFC magnesium alloy under vacuum is more refined and has less precipitatedβ-phase, which is formed at the grain boundry and around the Al-Mn compound particle.

Rotary bending fatigue behavior of A356 –T6 aluminum alloys by vacuum pressurizing casting

Vacuum pressurizing casting technique, providing better mould filling and inter-dendritic feeding, can reduce the porosity greatly in cast aluminum alloys, and improve the fatigue properties. The rotary bending fatigue properties of A356-T6 alloys prepared by vacuum pressurizing casting were investigated. The S-N curve and limit strength 90 MPa under fatigue life of 107 cycles were obtained. The analyses on the fatigue fractography and microstructure of specimens showed that the fatigue fracture mainly occurs at the positions with casting defects in the subsurface, especially at porosities regions, which attributed to the crack propagation during the fatigue fracture process. Using the empirical crack propagation law of Pairs-Erdogon, the quantitative relationship among the initial crack size, fatigue life and applied stress was established. The fatigue life decreases with an increase in initial crack size. Two constants in the Pairs-Erdogon equation of aluminum alloy A356-T6 were calculated using the experimental data.

Numerical simulation of solidification morphologies of Cu-0.6Cr casting alloy using modified cellular automaton model

The purpose of this study is to predict the morphologies in the solidification process for Cu-0.6Cr(mass fraction,%)alloy by vacuum continuous casting(VCC)and verify its accuracy by the observed experimental results.In numerical simulation aspect, finite difference(FD)method and modified cellular automaton(MCA)model were used to simulate the macro-temperature field, micro-concentration field,nucleation and grain growth of Cu-0.6Cr alloy using real data from actual casting operations.From the observed casting experiment,the preliminary grain morphologies are the directional columnar grains by the VCC process.The solidification morphologies by MCAFD model are in agreement with the result of actual casting experiment well.

Interfacial heat transfer behavior at metal/die in finger-plated casting during high pressure die casting process

Heat transfer at the metal-die interface has a great influence on the solidification process and casting structure. As thin-wall components are extensively produced by high pressure die casting process(HPDC), the B390 alloy finger-plate casting was cast against an H13 steel die on a cold-chamber HPDC machine. The interfacial heat transfer behavior at different positions of the die was carefully studied using an inverse approach based on the temperature measurements inside the die. Furthermore, the filling process and the solidification rate in different finger-plates were also given to explain the distribution of interfacial heat flux(q) and interfacial heat transfer coefficient(h). Measurement results at the side of sprue indicates that qmax and hmax could reach 9.2 MW·m^(-2) and 64.3 kW ·m^(-2)·K^(-1), respectively. The simulation of melt flow in the die reveals that the thinnest(T_1) finger plate could accelerate the melt flow from 50 m·s^(-1) to 110 m·s^(-1). Due to this high velocity, the interfacial heat flux at the end of T_1 could firstly reach a highest value 7.92 MW·m^(-2) among the ends of T_n(n=2,3,4,5). In addition, the q_(max) and h_(max) values of T_2, T_4 and T_5 finger-plates increase with the increasing thickness of the finger plate. Finally, at the rapid decreasing stage of interfacial heat transfer coefficient(h), the decreasing rate of h has an exponential relationship with the increasing rate of solid fraction(f).

车身真空高压压铸技术研究

铝合金真空高压压铸技术在汽车行业逐步得到应用,研究分析了真空高压压铸材料、工艺、产品及现阶段重点问题。概括了热处理和免热处理材料的物理特点、化学成分及机械性能;介绍了真空高压压铸工艺流程和产线、工艺设计、工艺参数、成形性能;分析了产品性能、厚度、尺寸、连接、维修、模具寿命现阶段的主要问题;总结了真空高压压铸技术的优势并展望其发展前景。

乘用车车身大型压铸件设计与研究

为实现乘用车车身大型压铸件设计,从压铸工艺种类和特点出发,分析了高真空压铸在乘用车车身大型压铸件中的应用,并针对关键接头、重要梁系、主要加强件、减振器塔座、A柱模块、后地板总成、前舱总成等常见压铸件应用部位,从壁厚、加强筋和顶针布局方面分析了压铸件的设计原则和要求。

机械振动对真空差压铸造ZL114A铝硅共晶组织及力学性能的影响

为进一步提升复杂薄壁ZL114A铸件性能,对真空差压铸造过程施加机械振动,系统研究振幅和频率对Al-Si共晶组织及铸件拉伸性能的影响。结果表明,机械振动可以强化熔体局域对流,折断先凝固枝晶,并造成硅相碎断形成短棒状、颗粒状组织。同时,可以促进凝固前沿溶质均匀分布,抑制硅相过度生长,诱发初生相周围Al-Si共晶网状转变。振幅和频率对合金强度和塑性的影响呈对立关系,高频低幅下近振源侧样品获得最高抗拉强度达335.6 MPa,但合金伸长率下降至1.54%。然而,由于振动能在熔体传播存在能量耗散,远振源侧样品强度仅327.06 MPa,伸长率为1.67%。此外,性能衰减拟合分析显示,增加频率有利于抑制振动能的损失,改善远侧熔体机械振动处理效果。

Design of process parameters for direct squeeze casting

On the basis of the analysis of solidification interval and temperature distribution of components manufactured by the squeeze casting method, formulas for calculating the solidification interval and compaction pressure were deduced according to the principal request that the compaction pressure should be equal to or greater than the plastic deformation resistance of the forming component when solidification ended. The solidification interval was proven to be associated with many factors, such as weight of the component, specific heat of the alloy, latent heat, pouring temperature, component temperature at the end of solidification and heat-transfer coefficients. The compaction pressure was related to the strain rate, deformation temperature, and dimension of the de- forming component. The solidification interval and compaction pressure calculated by the formulas deduced in this article were adopted in the production of 45 steel bidirectional chapiter valves, and components with excellent oerformance were manufactured.

Grain Size Distribution and Interfacial Heat Transfer Coefficient during Solidification of Magnesium Alloys Using High Pressure Die Casting Process

The objective of this study is to predict grain size and heat transfer coefficient at the metal-die interface during high pressure die casting process and solidification of the magnesium alloy AM60. Multiple runs of the commercial casting simulation package, ProCASTTM, were used to model the mold filling and solidification events employing a range of interfacial heat transfer coefficient values. The simulation results were used to estimate the centerline cooling curve at various locations through the casting. The centerline cooling curves, together with the die temperature and the thermodynamic properties of the alloy, were then used as inputs to compute the solution to the Stefan problem of a moving phase boundary, thereby providing the through-thickness cooling curves at each chosen location of the casting, Finally, the local cooling rate was used to calculate the resulting grain size via previously established relationships. The effects of die temperature, filling time and heat transfer coefficient on the grain structure in skin region and core region were quantitatively characterized. It was observed that the grain size of skin region strongly depends on above three factors whereas the grain size of core region shows dependence on the interracial heat transfer coefficient and thickness of the samples. The grain size distribution from surface to center was estimated from the relationship between grain size and the predicted cooling rate. The prediction of grain size matches well with experimental results. A comparison of the predicted and experimentally determined grain size profiles enables the determination of the apparent interracial heat transfer coefficient for different locations.