Effect of slow shot speed on externally solidified crystal,porosity and tensile property in a newly developed high-pressure die-cast Al-Si alloy

The effect of slow shot speed on externally solidified crystal(ESC),porosity and tensile property in a newly developed high-pressure die-cast Al-Si alloy was investigated by optical microscopy(OM),scanning electron microscopy(SEM)and laboratory computed tomography(CT).Results showed that the newly developed AlSi9MnMoV alloy exhibited improved mechanical properties when compared to the AlSi10MnMg alloy.The AlSi9MnMoV alloy,which was designed with trace multicomponent additions,displays a notable grain refining effect in comparison to the AlSi10MnMg alloy.Refining elements Ti,Zr,V,Nb,B promote heterogeneous nucleation and reduce the grain size of primaryα-Al.At a lower slow shot speed,the large ESCs are easier to form and gather,developing into the dendrite net and net-shrinkage.With an increase in slow shot speed,the size and number of ESCs and porosities significantly reduce.In addition,the distribution of ESCs is more dispersed and the net-shrinkage disappears.The tensile property is greatly improved by adopting a higher slow shot speed.The ultimate tensile strength is enhanced from 260.31 MPa to 290.31 MPa(increased by 11.52%),and the elongation is enhanced from 3.72%to 6.34%(increased by 70.52%).

Numerical simulation of low pressure die-casting aluminum wheel

The FDM numerical simulation software,ViewCast system,was employed to simulate the low pressure die casting(LPDC)of an aluminum wheel.By analyzing the mold-filling and solidification stage of the LPDC process,the distribution of liquid fraction,temperature field and solidification pattern of castings were studied.The potential shrinkage defects were predicted to be formed at the rim/spoke junctions,which is in consistence with the X-ray detection result.The distribution pattern of the defects has also been studied.A solution towards reducing such defects has been presented.The cooling capacity of the mold was improved by installing water pipes both in the side mold and the top mold.Analysis on the shrinkage defects under forced cooling mode proved that adding the cooling system in the mold is an effective method for reduction of shrinkage defects.

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.

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.

Gating system optimization of high pressure die casting thin-wall AlSi10MnMg longitudinal loadbearing beam based on numerical simulation

High pressure die casting(HPDC) is a kind of near net shape manufacturing method. However, air entrapment in HPDC parts has serious effects upon the casting quality. In order to reduce the air entrapment defects in a AlSi10 MnMg alloy thin-wall longitudinal load-bearing beam produced by HPDC, different gating systems were designed and simulated by software Flow-3D to evaluate the entrapped air. Simulation results showed that when the beam is produced by the original designed gating system with a middle ingate, there exist obvious air entrapments in the critical area; the volume of air entrapment was reduced by replacing the middle ingate to an overflow well, and the filling of molten metal became more stable. When the middle ingate was removed for further improvement, the volume of air entrapment was decreased drastically. The parts with glossy surface and good microstructure have been successfully produced by using the final optimized gating system based on simulation results.

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.

Determination of interfacial heat transfer coefficient and its application in high pressure die casting process

In this paper,the research progress of the interfacial heat transfer in high pressure die casting(HPDC)is reviewed.Results including determination of the interfacial heat transfer coefficient(IHTC),influence of casting thickness,process parameters and casting alloys on the IHTC are summarized and discussed.A thermal boundary condition model was developed based on the two correlations:(a)IHTC and casting solid fraction and(b)IHTC peak value and initial die surface temperature.The boundary model was then applied during the determination of the temperature field in HPDC and excellent agreement was found.

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).

Simulation of mold filling and prediction of gas entrapment on practical high pressure die castings

Element parameters including volume filled ratio,surface dimensionless distance,and surface filled ratio for DFDM(direct finite difference method)were proposed to describe shape and location of free surfaces in casting mold filling processes.A mathematical model of the filling process was proposed specially considering the mass,momentum and heat transfer in the vicinity of free surfaces.Furthermore,a method for gas entrapment was established by tracking flow of entrapped gas.The model and method were applied to practical ADC1 high pressure die castings.The gas entrapment prediction was compared with the fraction and maximum size of porosities in the different casting parts.The comparison shows validity of the proposed model and method.The study indicates that final porosities in high pressure die castings are dependent on both gas entrapment during mold filling process and pressure transfer within solidification period.

Influences of Casting Pressure Conditions on the Quality and Properties of a Magnesium Cylinder Head Cover Die Casting

Casting pressure conditions have great influences on the casting defects, such as gas porosity, shrinkage porosity and gas holes. A Mg cylinder head cover die casting was used to experimentally study the influences of casting pressure, the loading time and the piston position of pressure intensification on the variation of pressure and the quality of casting. The results show that casting pressure, the loading time and the piston position of pressure intensification have great influences on the pressure variations in the mold, the quality and performance of casting. The external quality, the density and the tensile strength of casting were improved with the increase of casting pressure and the piston position of pressure intensification and the decrease of the loading time of pressure intensification.

Defect band formation in high pressure die casting AE44 magnesium alloy

The characteristics of defect bands in the microstructure of high pressure die casting(HPDC)AE44 magnesium alloy were investigated.Special attention was paid to the effects of process parameters during the HPDC process and casting structure on the distribution of defect bands.Results show that the defect bands are solute segregation bands with the enrichment of Al,Ce and La elements,which are basically in the form of Al_(11)RE_(3) phase.There is no obvious aggregation of porosities in the defect bands.The width of the inner defect band is 4-8 times larger than that of the outer one.The variation trends of the distribution of the inner and outer defect bands are not consistent under different process parameters and at different locations of castings.This is due to the discrepancy between the formation mechanisms of double defect bands.The filling and solidification behavior of the melt near the chilling layer is very complicated,which finally leads to a fluctuation of the width and location of the outer defect band.By affecting the content and aggregation degree of externally solidified crystals(ESCs)in the cross section of die castings,the process parameters and casting structure have a great influence on the distribution of the inner defect band.

Study on typical hole defects in AZ91D magnesium alloy prepared by low pressure lost foam casting

The hole defects can easily occur in magnesium alloy castings that are prepared by low pressure lost foam casting(LP-LFC)process when the process parameters such as vacuum,pouring temperature and f illing velocity are not properly selected.In this study,the forming mechanism of the hole defects in AZ91D magnesium castings by LP-LFC process was investigated.The shape,location and surface appearance of the hole defects were observed using optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy,and the chemical composition on the surface of the holes was analyzed using energy spectrometer.The result indicates that there are two types of hole defects,i.e.,the pyrolysis products related hole defects,including concentrative hole and blow hole defects,and slag related hole defects.The concentrative hole and the blow-hole defects were formed either by the liquidEPS degradation products entrapped in the molten metal under the condition that the pouring temperature is equal to or lower than 730℃,or by the hindered transport of EPS pyrolysis products.Some irregular shape hole defects were caused by slag or by coating slough entrapment when the pouring temperature is equal to 750℃and the f illing velocity is equal to or greater than 100 mm·s-1.To reduce or eliminate the hole defects,the vacuum and f illing velocity must be properly chosen to ensure that the metal front prof ile exhibits convex shape and in laminar current state,and the pouring temperature should be just high enough to ensure that the molten melt has adequate heat energy to complete the foam pyrolysis and to fully occupy the mould.For AZ91D magnesium castings in this study,the parameters should be 730℃pouring temperature,0.02-0.03 MPa vacuum and 80mm·s-1f illing velocity.

Study on interfacial heat transfer coefficient at metal/die interface during high pressure die casting process of AZ91D alloy

The high pressure die casting (HPDC) process is one of the fastest growing and most efficient methods for the production of complex shape castings of magnesium and aluminum alloys in today's manufacturing industry. In this study, a high pressure die casting experiment using AZ91D magnesium alloy was conducted, and the temperature profiles inside the die were measured. By using a computer program based on solving the inverse heat problem, the metal/die interfacial heat transfer coefficient (IHTC) was calculated and studied. The results show that the IHTC between the metal and die increases right after the liquid metal is brought into the cavity by the plunger, and decreases as the solidification process of the liquid metal proceeds until the liquid metal is completely solidified, when the IHTC tends to be stable. The interfacial heat transfer coefficient shows different characteristics under different casting wall thicknesses and varies with the change of solidification behavior.

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.

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.

Mold Filling and Prevention of Gas Entrapment in High-pressure Die-casting

This paper presents some results of direct observation of mold filling in a specially designed die-casting by X-ray diffraction, including comparison with numerical simulation. Based on such work the authors discuss how to prevent gas entrapment and propose new methods.

Compressive behavior of NiAl/(Cr,Mo)Hf alloy prepared by high-pressure die casting and hot isostatic pressing

The NiAl-28Cr-5.85Mo-0.15Hf alloy was prepared by high-pressure die casting (HPDC) and subsequent hot isostatic pressing(HIP), and tested for compressible strength and fracture behavior at 300-1 373 K. The results show that the elevated temperature 0.2% compressible yield strength as well as the room-temperature compressible fracture strain of as-HIP alloy are larger than those of the same alloy prepared by directional solidification (DS). It suggests that the fine structures with a homogeneous distribution of fine Cr (Mo) and Hf-rich phase created by high-pressure die casting lead to these improvements.

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.

Heat Transfer between Casting and Die during High Pressure Die Casting Process of AM50 Alloy-Modeling and Experimental Results

A method based on die casting experiments and mathematic modeling is presented for the determination of the heat flow density （HFD） and interfacial heat transfer coefficient （IHTC） during the high pressure die casting （HPDC） process.Experiments were carried out using step shape casting and a commercial magnesium alloy,AM50.Temperature profiles were measured and recorded using thermocouples embedded inside the die. Based on these temperature readings,the HFD and IHTC were successfully determined and the calculation results show that the HFD and IHTC at the metal-die interface increases sharply right after the fast phase injection process until approaching their maximum values,after which their values decrease to a much lower level until the dies are opened.Different patterns of heat transfer behavior were found between the die and the casting at different thicknesses.The thinner the casting was,the more quickly the HFD and IHTC reached their steady states.Also,the values for both the HFD and IHTC values were different between die and casting at different thicknesses.

Effects of magnesium and copper additions on tensile properties of Al-Si-Cr die casting alloy under as-cast and T5 conditions

Aluminum high pressure die casting(HPDC)technology has evolved in the past decades,enabling stronger and larger one-piece casting with significant part consolidation.It also offers a higher design freedom for more mass-efficient thin-walled body structures.For body structures that require excellent ductility and fracture toughness to be joined with steel sheet via self-piercing riveting(for instance,shock towers and hinge pillars,etc.),a costly T7 heat treatment comprising a solution heat treatment at elevated temperatures(450℃-500℃)followed by an over-ageing heat treatment is needed to optimize microstructure for meeting product requirement.To enable cost-efficient mass production of HPDC body structures,it is important to eliminate the expensive T7 heat treatment without sacrificing mechanical properties.Optimizing die cast alloy chemistry is a potential solution to improve fracture toughness and ductility of the HPDC components.The present study intends to tailor the Mg and Cu additions for a new Al-Si-Cr type die casting alloy(registered as A379 with The Aluminum Association,USA)to achieve the desired tensile properties without using T7 heat treatment.It was found that Cu addition should be avoided,as it is not effective in enhancing strength while degrades tensile ductility.Mg addition is very effective in improving strength and has minor impact on tensile ductility.The investigated Al-Si-Cr alloy with a nominal composition of Al-8.5wt.%Si-0.3wt.%Cr-0.2wt.%Fe shows comparable tensile properties with the T7 treated AlSi10MnMg alloy which is currently used for manufacturing shock towers and hinge pillars.