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.

Effect of process parameters on density of magnesium alloy parts by low-pressure expendable pattern casting

The combination of magnesium alloys with the low-pressure expendable pattern casting(LP-EPC) process would bright future for application of magnesium alloys. The researches are focused on the effect of process parameters on the internal casting quality of magnesium alloy parts. AZ91D magnesium alloy castings were produced for different combinations of the LP-EPC process parameters. Specifically,pouring temperature,vacuum,filling velocity and coupling action of these factors were manipulated to observe their effect on the casting porosity and density distribution. The results indicate that the pouring temperature with LP-EPC process is lower than it in gravity casting. The selected process parameters,such as vacuum,filling velocity and coupled modes of them,must ensure melt metal flowing front profile exhibiting smooth and convex shape. The optimal process parameters for the castings are pouring temperature 983-1 023 K,vacuum 0.02-0.03 MPa,filling velocity 60-95 mm/s,and simultaneous filling with sucking.

Gating system optimization of low pressure casting A356 aluminum alloy intake manifold based on numerical simulation

To eliminate the shrinkage porosity in low pressure casting of an A356 aluminum alloy intake manifold casting, numerical simulation on fi lling and solidifi cation processes of the casting was carried out using the ProCAST software. The gating system of the casting is optimized according to the simulation results. Results show that when the gating system consists of only one sprue, the fi lling of the molten metal is not stable; and the casting does not follow the sequence solidifi cation, and many shrinkage porosities are observed through the casting. After the gating system is improved by adding one runner and two in-gates, the fi lling time is prolonged from 4.0 s to 4.5 s, the fi lling of molten metal becomes stable, but this casting does not follow the sequence solidifi cation either. Some shrinkage porosity is also observed in the hot spots of the casting. When the gating system was further improved by adding risers and chill to the hot spots of the casting, the shrinkage porosity defects were eliminated completely. Finally, by using the optimized gating system the A356 aluminum alloy intake manifold casting with integrated shape and smooth surface as well as dense microstructure was successfully produced.

Effect of pressurizing speed on filling behavior of gradual expansion structure in low pressure casting of ZL205A alloy

The mold filling behavior of gradual expansion structure in low pressure casting was studied by two phase flow model using the Volume of Fluid method, and was verified by water simulation with a Plexiglas mold. To get smooth mold filling process and provide a guide for the pressurizing speed design in the producing practice, the mathematical model with the pressurizing speed, expansion angle and height of the gradual expansion structure was established. For validation experiments, ZL205 A alloy castings were produced under two different pressurizing speeds. Weibull probability plots were used to assess the fracture mechanisms under different pressurizing speeds. Mechanical properties of ZL205 A alloy were applied to assess the entrainment of oxide film. The results show that the filling process of a gradual expansion structure in a low pressure casting can be divided into the spreading stage and filling stage by gate velocity. The gate velocity continues to increase in the gradual expansion structure, and increases with the increase of pressurizing speed or expansion angle. Under the effect of the falling fluid raised by the jet flow along the sidewall, the fluid velocity decreases in the jet zone from ingate to free surface. As such, oxide film entrainment does not occur when the gate velocity is greater than the critical velocity, andthe gate velocity no longer reflects the real state of the free surface. The scatter of the mechanical properties is strongly affected by the entrainment of oxide films.

Pressurization control system for low pressure crucible casting

A new compact pressurization control system of the low pressure casting machine for crucible pressure casting has been developed. It is especially designed for the production of high-quality aluminum or magnesium alloy parts with low input cost. This machine with such a system has the virtue of economical and compact, and combines the Fuzzy-PID technology and achieves accuracies of ±2.5 mbar. At present, this machine has been adopted by several users in China for the production of aluminum alloy castings with high property requirements. Furthermore, for magnesium alloy castings, this machine can be used with the gas protect unit.

Microstructures and mechanical properties of AZ91D magnesium alloy processed by low pressure die casting

AZ91D alloy components were cast by low pressure die casting (LPDC) process. The mechanical properties of cast components with different microstructural features (shrinkage and distribution of Mg17Al12 second phase) were investigated under as-cast states. Compared with gravity casting, AZ91D with LPDC has much coarser grain size and second phases(Mg17Al12 and Al8Mn5). The different size and distribution of Mg17Al12 phase and shrinkage correspond to different mechanical properties. The ultimate tensile strengths and elongations are mainly decided by the content and distribution of shrinkage porosity, while the yield strengths are determined by the percentage and distribution of Mg17Al12 phase. The more and finer Mg17Al12 phase in the alloy, the relatively higher the yield strengths are. In the alloy without shrinkage, the mechanical properties are mainly determined by the size and distribution of Mg17Al12 phase. The finer Mg17Al12 phase, the better the mechanical properties are. Under optimal process, the density and mechanical properties of LPDC AZ91D are improved with fine microstructures.

THE PRODUCTION OF FOAM ALUMINIUM ALLOY BY LOW-PRESSURE INFILTRATION METHOD

The influence of technical parameters on the infiltrating height of the moltenmetal in the process of Producing aluminium alloy foam by low-pressure infiltration method were investigated.Experiments indicated that the height increases with the preheating temperature of granules,theexternal pressureand the pouring temperature of molten alloy,among which the action of pre heating temperature of granules is more effective.There exists a critical pre heating temperature for different size of granules.

Process Optimization for AZ91 Mg-alloy Low-pressure EPC Process

The influence of a key process variable on the mold filling characteristics of AZ91 Mg-alloy was studied in the low pressure EPC process.The applied flow quantity of insert gas from 1 to 5 m~3/h associated with the pressurizing rate in the low pressure EPC casting process was considered for rectangle and L-shape plate casting. The experimental results show that there is an optimal flow quantity of insert gas for good mold filling characteristics in AZ91 Mg-alloy low-pressure EPC process. The optimal flow quantity of insert gas for the specimens is 3 to 4 m~3/h. Either less or higher than the optimal flow quantity of insert gas would lead to misrun defects or folds, blisters and porosity defects. The practice of hub casting confirmed that the low-pressure EPC process with an optimal processing variable exemplified as 4 m~3/h gas flow quantity was capable of producing complicated magnesium castings without misrun defects.

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.

PDCA循环在低压铸造Al-Si活塞生产中的应用研究

中大功率船用柴油机中的重要零件Al-Si活塞,采用的铸造工艺是低压铸造生产,在某段时间内生产的活塞铸件废品率大幅上升,造成较大的经济损失。通过在活塞生产过程中利用PDCA循环,首先分析问题产生的原因,接着采取具体措施与制定计划,然后通过执行计划和调查效果,最后进行标准化和总结,使产品质量在短期内得到有效控制和提升,并形成了一套完整的活塞生产质量保证体系,为后续生产提供了良好的解决方案。

基于ProCAST的摩托车架低压铸造方案分析与优化

采用ProCAST软件对摩托车架低压铸造过程进行数值模拟。通过研究金属液充型过程中的汇流与卷气现象,凝固过程可能出现的缩松、氧化渣以及整个过程铸件产生的变形量等,以验证车架成形方案设计的合理性。初步仿真结果表明车架整体设计符合要求,但存在氧化渣集中、部分缩松尺寸较大等问题,并预报了变形量的大小,为反变形措施提供了依据。为解决这些问题对模具结构、工艺参数等制定了优化方案并再次进行仿真,改进方案模拟结果表明:在砂芯附近增加2个渣包、将充型一、二阶段的压力降低3~4kPa等,能减小缩松概率、降低氧化渣含量.

Effect of pressure on the feeding characteristics of ZCuZn16Si4 alloy

The experimental and numerical simulation methods were employed to study the effect of pressure on the feeding characteristics of ZCuZn16Si4 alloy castings. The results proved that different pressures would lead to different feeding distance of riser over a suitable pressure range, and the pressure can be used to greatly improve the feeding characteristics compared with gravity casting. It should be pointed out that current porosity criteria in the numerical simulation codes cannot yet be applied well enough to predict the porosity defects of low-pressure copper alloy castings.

铸造增压压力对汽车用AlSi9Mg铝合金组织和力学性能的影响

通过改变低压铸造过程中不同增压压力来研究其对AlSi9Mg合金显微组织与力学性能的影响。结果表明,在高增压压力制备的AlSi9Mg合金样品具有更加致密的显微组织及更接近球形的共晶Si颗粒。同时,由于具有更好的填充能力,高增压压力下合金的气孔缺陷大大减少,合金具有更优异的力学性能。在90、150、210 kPa3种不同级别的增压压力下,晶粒尺寸呈逐渐减小的趋势,对应的合金晶粒尺寸和二次枝晶臂间距分别为246、197、149μm,44.9、37.3、31.1μm;3种增压压力对应的密度和孔隙率分别为2.656、2.659、2.674 g/cm^(3),0.96%、0.79%、0.38%;AlSi9Mg合金的抗拉强度、屈服强度和伸长率分别为238.76、174.68 MPa和3.14%;252.43、177.47 MPa和4.61%;256.10、178.81 MPa和6.85%,分别提高了7.26%、2.36%、118.15%。

铝车轮铸造模具水冷界面换热系数反算求解

铝车轮低压铸造过程中,模具温度场是影响铝液凝固的重要因素。水冷作为铸造模具的主要冷却方式,对模具温度场的影响机理仍不明晰,有待深入研究。本文以铝车轮铸造模具的边模水冷模块为研究对象,设计水冷降温实验并采集水冷过程中的模具温度数据。通过ProCAST及ANSYS分析冷却水流动状态,以实测温度数据为基础进行软件反求解,基于Beck非线性估算法,建立界面换热数值模型。通过对比分析两种界面换热系数求解方式,并正向求解以验证两种求解方式的准确性,以期为铝车轮低压铸造模拟验证提供数据支撑,有望获取冷却水与模具的真实换热系数,并揭示其传热行为和换热机理。

基于熵值法的铝合金缸体低压铸造工艺多目标优化

基于有限元软件ProCAST构建某型铝合金缸体的有限元模型,设计L16(44)正交试验方案,探究了浇注温度、模具预热温度、充型时间、保压压力四个工艺参数对凝固时间和缩松体积的影响。采用熵值法分别计算两个评价指标的权重,将凝固时间与缩松体积转化为综合评分值进行单目标优化。通过极差分析与方差分析,得到了各参数对综合评分的影响程度为:浇注温度(A)>模具预热温度(B)>保压压力(D)>充型时间(C),确定了最优的工艺参数为A1B2C1D3。对比原工艺参数方案和优选工艺参数方案发现:凝固时间缩短了20.35%,缩松体积下降了2.96%。经生产试验,缸体铸件外观质量良好,无明显铸造缺陷,验证了最佳工艺参数的合理性。

基于正交试验的铝合金减速机壳体低压铸造工艺优化

利用数值模拟方法对铝合金蜗轮减速机壳体低压铸造过程进行分析,预测壳体中可能产生的缩松缩孔缺陷及位置分布,并分析其形成原因。在此基础上,通过改进冷却方案,并基于正交试验对工艺参数进行了多目标优化。得到的最优工艺参数为:浇注温度740℃、模具预热温度240℃、冷却水温度20℃。结果表明,优化后的壳体无缩松缩孔缺陷。通过生产试制和金相分析,验证了此优化工艺的可行性。

基于ProCAST的制动器隔离盘低压铸造模拟分析

以某型号汽车制动器隔离盘低压铸造作为研究对象,模拟分析了A356铝合金的充型规律以及冷却过程中的温度分布,对冷却后铸件的损伤进行了预测,并研究了铝合金浇注温度对铸件成型质量的影响。结果表明,离浇注系统越远,铸件的冷却速率越快,越靠近铸件外部,铸件的冷却速率越快;755℃为合适的浇注温度,此时,铸件的最大损伤值为0.00298,远小于0.01。

基于S7-200PLC低压铸造控制系统的设计

根据低压铸造的工艺流程,通过对低压铸造PLC控制系统的硬件架构、硬件选型,完成了控制系统的软件设计。实践证明,这个控制系统设计选型和控制方案是可行的,并且克服了传统低压铸造控制系统易受外界环境干扰、故障率较高、维修困难等缺点,提高了产品生产效率及质量。同时,其具有生产效率高、操作简单、参数的设置方便、安全可靠、以及很好的经济实用性等优点。

基于结构化设计法的BH-1型低压铸造控制系统设计

采用结构化设计方法,研发了BH-1型低压铸造控制系统。实际应用结果表明:采用该方法设计过程控制系统,不仅缩减了开发难度,后期运维方便,同时,所开发出的控制系统运行稳定,产品质量较佳。

汽缸套自生颗粒增强Al-Si-Mg复合材料的制备与台架实验研究

观察并研究离心铸造自生颗粒增强Al-Si-Mg复合材料600 cc发动机铝合金缸套铸件沿径向方向的微观组织特征,检测铸件的硬度及耐磨性能;对铝合金缸套内表面腐蚀处理后进行台架实验。结果表明：Al-Si-Mg复合材料铸件内层偏聚了大量的自生初晶Si/Mg2Si颗粒,体积分数达27.6%,初晶颗粒体积分数较大的区域其硬度值也较高,铝合金缸套内层增强层的体积磨损量低于摩托车用铸铁缸套;低压铸造时,需在铝合金缸体内孔装填耐火棉,以保证铸件充型完整且不发生跑火现象,铸造成型缸体与缸套之间获得良好的冶金结合效果;台架实验测得600 cc铝合金缸体发动机的输出功率最大达22.66 k W,转矩最大达44.37 N·m,达到设计要求。