Thin-walled and large-sized magnesium alloy die castings for passenger car cockpit:Application,materials,and manufacture

In order to effectively reduce energy consumption and increase range mile,new energy vehicles represented by Tesla have greatly aroused the application of integrated magnesium(Mg)alloy die casting technology in automobiles.Previously,the application of Mg alloys in automobiles,especially in automotive cockpit components,is quite extensive,while it has almost disappeared for a period of time due to its relatively high cost,causing a certain degree of information loss in the application technology of Mg alloy parts in automobiles.The rapid development of automotive technology has led to a higher requirement for the automotive components compared with those traditional one.Therefore,whatever the components themselves,or the Mg alloy materials and die casting process have to face an increasing challenge,needing to be upgraded.In addition,owing to its high integration characteristics,the application of Mg alloy die casting technology in large-sized and thin-walled automotive parts has inherent advantages and needs to be expanded urgently.Indeed,it necessitates exploring advance Mg alloys and new product structures and optimizing die casting processes.This article summarizes and analyzes the development status of thin-walled and large-sized die casting Mg alloy parts in passenger car cockpit and corresponding material selection methods,die casting processes as well as mold design techniques.Furthermore,this work will aid researchers in establishing a comprehensive understanding of the manufacture of thin-walled and large-sized die casting Mg alloy parts in automobile cockpit.It will also assist them in developing new Mg alloys with improved comprehensive performance and new processes to meet the high requirements for die casting automotive components.

Optimization of Fixture Number in Large Thin-Walled Parts Assembly Based on IPSO

There are lots of researches on fixture layout optimization for large thin-walled parts.Current researches focus on the positioning problem,i.e.,optimizing the positions of a constant number of fixtures.However,how to determine the number of fixtures is ignored.In most cases,the number of fixtures located on large thin-walled parts is determined based on engineering experience,which leads to huge fixture number and extra waste.Therefore,this paper constructs an optimization model to minimize the number of fixtures.The constraints are set in the optimization model to ensure that the part deformation is within the surface profile tolerance.In addition,the assembly gap between two parts is also controlled.To conduct the optimization,this paper develops an improved particle swarm optimization(IPSO)algorithm by integrating the shrinkage factor and adaptive inertia weight.In the algorithm,particles are encoded according to the fixture position.Each dimension of the particle is assigned to a sub-region by constraining the optional position range of each fixture to improve the optimization efficiency.Finally,a case study on ship curved panel assembly is provided to prove that our method can optimize the number of fixtures while meeting the assembly quality requirements.This research proposes a method to optimize the number of fixtures,which can reduce the number of fixtures and achieve deformation control at the same time.

Eliminating shrinkage defects and improving mechanical performance of large thin-walled ZL205A alloy castings by coupling travelling magnetic fields with sequential solidification

ZL205 A alloys with large thin-walled shape were continuously processed by coupling travelling magnetic fields(TMF)with sequential solidification,to eliminate the shrinkage defects and optimize the mechanical performance.Through experiments and simulations,the parameter optimization of TMF and the influence on feeding behavior,microstructure and properties were systematically studied.The results indicate that the magnetic force maximizes at the excitation current of 20 A and frequency of 200 Hz under the experimental conditions of this study,and increases from center to side-walls,which is more convenient to process thin-walled castings.TMF can break secondary dendritic arm and dendrites overlaps,widen feeding channels,prolong the feeding time,optimize the feeding paths,eliminate shrinkage defects and improve properties.Specifically,for as-cast state,TMF with excitation current of 20 A increases ultimate tensile strength,elongation and micro-hardness from 186 MPa,7.3%and 82.1 kg/mm^(2) to 221 MPa,11.7%and 100.5 kg/mm^(2),decreases porosity from 1.71%to 0.22%,and alters brittle fracture to ductile fracture.

Microstructure and properties of 35 kg large aluminum alloy flywheel housing components formed by squeeze casting with local pressure compensation

The squeeze casting method with local pressure compensation was proposed to form a flywheel housing component with a weight of 35 kg.The numerical simulation,microstructure observation and phase characterization were performed,and the influence of local pressure compensation on feeding of thick-wall position,microstructure and mechanical properties of the formed components were discussed.Results show that the molten metal keeps a good fluidity and the filling is complete during the filling process.Although the solidification at thick-wall positions of the mounting ports is slow,the local pressure compensation effectively realizes the local forced feeding,significantly eliminating the shrinkage cavity defects.In the microstructure of AlSi9Mg alloy,α-Al primarily consists of fragmented dendrites and rosette grains,while eutectic Si predominantly comprises needles and short rods.The impact of local pressure compensation on strength is relatively minimal,yet its influence on elongation is considerable.Following local pressure compensation,the average elongation at the compensated areas is 9.18%,which represents a 44.90%higher than that before compensation.The average tensile strength is 209.1 MPa,and the average yield strength is 100.6 MPa.The local pressure compensation can significantly reduce or even eliminate the internal defects in the 35 kg large-weight components formed by squeeze casting.

Development of pressure control system in counter gravity casting for large thin-walled A357 aluminum alloy components

Counter gravity casting equipments(CGCE) were widely used to produce large thin-walled A357 aluminum alloy components. To improve the pressure control precision of CGCE to get high quality castings, a pressure control system based on fuzzy-PID hybrid control technology and the digital assembled valve was developed. The actual pressure tracking experiment results show that the special system by applying PID controller and fuzzy controller to varied phases, is not only able to inherit the small error and good static stability of classical PID control, but also has fuzzy control’s advantage of fully adapting itself to the object. The pressure control error is less than 0.3 kPa. By using this pressure control system, large complex thin-walled A357 aluminum alloy castings with high quality was successfully produced.

Warm bending mechanism of extrados and intrados of large diameter thin-walled CP-Ti tubes

In order to develop the warming bending technology of the large diameter thin-walled（LDTW） commercial pure titanium alloy CP-Ti tubes, the warm bending mechanism of the extrados and intrados of LDTW CP-Ti tubes was researched. By EBSD analysis and Vickers hardness test, the changes of microstructure and strength of the tubes at different bending temperatures of 293, 423 and 573 K, were analyzed. The results show： 1） The extrados of the bent tube deforms mainly by slip, along with few twinning, and the preferred orientation is similar to that of the initial tube; the intrados of the bent tube experiences compression deformation mainly by {1 012} tensile twinning, and the twinning makes the preferred orientation of wall materials change sharply. 2） The Vickers hardness values of both the extrados and intrados of the samples after bending increase greatly; the Vickers hardness values of the intrados are much higher than those of the extrados, and Vickers hardness values of the RD-TD planes are always higher than those of the RD-LD planes, which are related to the different deformation mechanisms.

Physical Simulation of Mold-Filling Processing of Thin-Walled Castings under Traveling Magnetic Field

Mold-filling process of thin-walled castings under the condition of traveling magnetic field has been studied by physical simulation method using gallium melt and fast speed photography. Flow morphology and its formation mechanism were obtained and discussed for thin-walled casting. The influences of magnetic field density on the filling ability, filling velocity and mold filling time have been studied. The differences in filling capability between gravity casting and casting under the traveling magnetic field have been compared. The results indicate that the mold filling ability of the gallium melt increases greatly under the condition of traveling magnetic field; the filling time is shortened from 18 s under gravity field to 3 s under the traveling magnetic field and average flow rate of the melt increases from 1.6 to 8.68 cm3/s; the change law of the cross-section morphology of the gallium melt during the mold filling is that at first, the cross-section area does not change, then it decreases gradually. When the front of the melt reaches the end of the mold cavity, the front melt will backfill the mold; the wider the width of mold cavity, the better the mold filling ability. The mold filling ability of gallium melt in mold with upper magnetic conductor is better than that without upper magnetic conductor.

Research on the squeeze cast technology of the castings with large ratio of height to thickness

The squeeze cast technology is only applicable, at present, to the castings with a ratio of height to thickness less than 3.5. Researching the squeeze cast technology for castings with a large ratio of height to thickness will broaden the applicable range of the advanced casting technology. This paper describes a study of the temperature distribution during solidification for castings with a ratio of height to thickness of 7 by the methods of experiment and computer simulation. The shrinkage porosity distribution in the castings and the mechanical properties of the castings were also researched. The experimental and simulated results show that increasing squeeze force, or enhancing mold temperature, cannot reduce the shrinkage porosities in the castings. When castings solidify in a sequential manner and the squeeze force effectively acts on the surface of the liquid metal, the shrinkage porosities in the castings are eliminated and mechanical properties are clearly improved.

Numerical simulation for mold-filling of thin-walled aluminum alloy castings in traveling magnetic field

The numerical simulation for mold-filling of thin-walled aluminum alloy castings in horizontal traveling magnetic field is performed. A force model of Al alloy melt in the traveling magnetic field is founded by analyzing traveling magnetic field carefully. Numerical model of Al alloy mold-filling is founded based on N-S equation, which was suitable for traveling magnetic field. By using acryl glass mold with indium as alloy melt, the experiment testified the filling state of alloy in traveling magnetic field. The results of numerical simulation indicate that the mold-filling ability of gallium melt increases continually with the increase of the input ampere turns.

Modeling and simulation of 3D thermal stresses of large-sized castings in solidification processes

When heavy machines and large scaled receiver system of communication equipment are manufactured, it always needs to produce large-sized steel castings, aluminum castings and etc. Some defects of hot cracking by thermal stress often appear during solidification process as these castings are produced, which results in failure of castings. Therefore predicting the effects of technological parameters for production of castings on the thermal stress during solidification process becomes an important means. In this paper, the mathematical models have been established and numerical calculation of temperature fields by using finite difference method (FDM) and then thermal stress fields by using finite element method (FEM) during solidification process of castings have been carried out. The technological parameters of production have been optimized by the results of calculation and the defects of hot cracking have been eliminated. Modeling and simulation of 3D thermal stress during solidification processes of large-sized castings provided a scientific basis, which promoted further development of advanced manufacturing technique.

Advanced manufacturing technologies of large martensitic stainless steel castings with ultra low carbon and high cleanliness

The key manufacturing technologies associated with composition, microstructure, mechanical properties, casting quality and key process control for large martensitic stainless steel castings are involved in this paper. The achievements fully satisfeid the technical requirements of the large 700 MW stainless steel hydraulic turbine runner for the Three Gorges Hydropower Station, and become the major technical support for the design and manufacture of the largest 700 MW hydraulic turbine generator unit in the world developed through our own efforts. The characteristics of a new high yield to tensile strength (R p0.2/R m ) ratio and high obdurability martensitic stainless steel with ultra low carbon and high cleanliness are also described. Over the next ten years, the large martensitic stainless steel castings and advanced manufacturing technologies will see a huge demand in clean energy industry such as nuclear power, hydraulic power at home and abroad. Therefore, the new high yield o tensile strength (R p0.2/R m ) ratio and high obdurability martensitic stainless steel materials, the fast and flexible manufacturing technologies of large size castings, and new environment friendly sustainable process will face new challenges and opportunities.

Solidified structure of thin-walled titanium parts by vertical centrifugal casting

The solidified structure of the thin-walled and complicated Ti-6AI-4V castings produced by the vertical centrifugal casting process was studied in the present work. The results show that the wall thickness of the section is featured with homogeneously distributed fine equiaxial grains, compared with the microstructure of the thick-walled section. The grain size of the castings has a tendency to decrease gradually with the increasing of the centrifugal radius. The inter-lamellar space in thick-walled casting parts is bigger than that of the thin-walled parts, and the profile of inter-lamellar space is not susceptible to the centrifugal radius.

Die Casting Mold Design of the Thin-walled Aluminum Case by Computational Solidification Simulation

Recently, demand for the lightweight alloy in electric/electronic housings has been greatly increased. However, among the lightweight alloys, aluminum alloy thin-walled die casting is problematic because it is quite difficult to achieve sufficient fluidity and feedability to fill the thin cavity as the wall thickness becomes less than 1mm. Therefore, in this study, thin-walled die casting of aluminum （Al-Si-Cu alloy： ALDC 12） in size of notebook computer housing and thickness of 0.8 mm was investigated by solidification simulation （MAGMA soft） and actual casting experiment （Buhler Evolution B 53D）. Three different types of gating design, finger, tangential and split type with 6 vertical runners, were simulated and the results showed that sound thin-walled die casting was possible with tangential and split type gating design because those gates allowed aluminum melt to flow into the thin cavity uniformly and split type gating system was preferable gating design comparing to tangential type gating system at the point of view of soundness of casting and distortion generated after solidification. Also, the solidification simulation agreed well with the actual die-casting and the casting showed no casting defects and distortion.

Filling mode and regularity of vertical centrifugal casting process of titanium alloy in thin-walled cylinder cavity

The mold filling process of titanium alloy in a thin-walled cylinder cavity under vertical centrifugal casting process was studied by means of the hydraulic simulation experiments. Results show that the filling mode of the melt in the cylinder cavity varies with casting wall-thickness. When the casting wall-thickness is less than or equal to the thickness of the first layer during the filling process, the melts fill the cavity from the bottom to the top.When the casting wall-thickness is greater than the thickness of the first layer during the filling process, the melts first fill the largest radius parts of the cavity with a certain thickness of the first layer from the bottom to the top of the cavity, and then they fill the cavity from the larger radius part to the smaller radius part. The melt filling ability increases with the increment of the mold rotational speed and the pouring temperature. In another aspect, the melt filling ability rises with the decrement of the melt viscosity, and the melt with the better filling ability is prone to fill the cylinder cavity layer by layer.

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基于ProCAST的某超大型镁合金飞机吊舱铸件工艺仿真与改进

针对某超大型镁合金吊舱薄壁铸件圆角处缩孔缺陷频发的铸造难题,首先针对铸件结构、合金材料及铸造工艺等开展缺陷成因分析。提出在现有浇注系统局部增加内浇道并优化内浇道形状的方案,以提高冒口对缺陷区域的补缩能力,同时抑制氧化夹渣等缺陷的引入。然后,采用铸造有限元模拟方法,对优化工艺开展铸造过程仿真分析,包括流场和温度场、固相率及温度云图切片等,确认了上述优化方案的可行性。最后开展铸造试验验证。结果证明:优化工艺有效解决了超大型镁合金薄壁铸件圆角处的缩孔缺陷。本研究对其他超大型镁合金薄壁铸件的铸造工艺设计具有借鉴意义。

顺序凝固工艺对大长径比装药缩松的影响研究

针对顺序凝固工艺对大长径比装药易形成缩松的问题,分别以受控生长期、自由凝固期的相界面形貌特征参数为中间量,建立了工艺参数到缩松体积的4层关联路径,选择TNT/RDX(33.8/65)炸药、长径比5∶1的装药模具,进行了正交仿真、极差分析以及Spearman相关系数计算,结果表明,降低水温、入水速度以及提高环境换热系数可提高受控生长期的相界面高度、开口角,从而降低自由凝固期的凝固区间最大厚度,最终减少缩松体积;工艺参数影响强弱为:水温、入水速度、环境换热系数;降低入水速度、提高环境换热系数可减少对低水温的依赖。本研究探明了顺序凝固工艺参数对大长径比装药相界面演化及缩松的影响机理,可为相关工艺设计提供理论支撑。

襄阳东站钢屋盖超多杆连接节点设计与足尺模型试验研究

襄阳东站屋盖南北向长358m,东西向最大跨度86m,采用焊接球钢网架,整体不设变形缝,南端开设瀑布造型大洞口,由于屋盖结构超长、不连续、大悬挑及瀑布造型使得钢屋盖空间受力十分复杂,特在分叉柱柱顶沿南北向设置加强杆以加强屋盖瀑布区洞口两侧边缘约束刚度及改善结构整体受力性能。钢屋盖瀑布区悬挑端分叉柱柱顶节点相连杆件达12根之多,该节点作为屋盖结构的关键节点,其受力状态尤为复杂,创新地采用了半铸造半相贯焊连接形式并采取了构造加强措施,针对该超多杆连接节点进行了足尺模型加载试验验证,详细介绍了试验加载装置、加载方案、试验现象及试验结果,并进行了有限元对比分析。结果表明有限元对比分析结果与加载试验吻合较好;该超多杆半铸造半相贯焊连接节点构造合理、承载力高,薄弱部位出现在与铸造本体相连的接长钢管上,满足强节点弱构件、强连接弱构件的设计要求。