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.     

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.     

Determination of the metal/die interfacial heat transfer coefficient and its application in evaluating the pressure distribution inside the casting during the high pressure die casting process

Abstract

High pressure die casting (HPDC) experiments were conducted on a 650 t cold chamber die casting machine to study the interfacial heat transfer behaviour between casting and die. A 'step shape' casting and two commercial alloys namely ADC12 and AM50 were used during the experiments. Temperature and pressure measurements were made inside the die and at the die surface. The metal/die interfacial heat transfer coefficient (IHTC) was successfully determined based on the measured temperature inside the die by solving the inverse heat transfer problem. The IHTC was then used as the boundary condition to determine the 3-D temperature field inside the casting. Based on the predicted temperature distribution, the pressure distribution inside the casting was evaluated by assuming that the transferred pressure from the plunger tip of the injection side to the casting is primarily influenced by the solid fraction of the casting. Reasonable agreement was found between the determined pressure values and the measured pressures at the die surface of the casting.     

Development and application of inverse heat transfer model between liquid metal and shot sleeve in high pressure die casting process under non-shooting condition

To predict the heat transfer behavior of A380 alloy in a shot sleeve, a numerical approach(inverse method) is used and validated by high pressure die casting(HPDC) experiment under non-shooting condition. The maximum difference between the measured and calculated temperature profiles is smaller than 3 °C, which suggests that the inverse method can be used to predict the heat transfer behavior of alloys in a shot sleeve. Furthermore, the results indicate an increase in maximum interfacial heat flux density(q_(max)) and heat transfer coefficient(h_(max)) with an increase in sleeve filling ratio, especially at the pouring zone(S2 zone). In addition, the values of initial temperature(T_(IDS)) and maximum shot sleeve surface temperature(T_(simax)) at the two end zones(S2 and S10) are higher than those at the middle zone(S5). Moreover, in comparison with fluctuations in heat transfer coefficient(h) with time at the two end zones(S2 and S10), 2.4-6.5 kW ·m~(-2)·K~(-1), 3.5-12.5 kW ·m~(-2)·K~(-1), respectively, more fluctuations are found at S5 zone, 2.1-14.7 kW ·m~(-2)·K~(-1). These differences could theoretically explain the formation of the three zones: smooth pouring zone, un-smooth middle zone and smooth zone, with different morphologies in the metal log under the non-shot casting condition. Finally, our calculations also reveal that the values of q_(max) and h_(max) cast at 680 °C are smaller than those cast at 660 °C and at 700 °C.     

镁合金铸造成形过程宏观／微观模拟

通过研究镁合金压铸过程中界面热,采用热传导反算法确定压铸过程的界面换热系数,研究镁合金压铸过程中工艺参数及凝固过程对铸件界面换热系数的影响规律,建立镁合金压铸过程界面换热边界条件的处理模型,以实现镁合金压铸过程中凝固过程的准确预测。通过实验研究镁合金压铸过程中凝固组织,建立了镁合金压铸过程中形核模型。采用CA方法,建立了镁合金枝晶生长模型,以实现镁合金凝固组织的预测。采用相场方法研究了镁合金枝晶生长形貌。     

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 Al₁₁RE₃ 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.

     

Characterization and Modeling Study on Interfacial Heat Transfer Behavior and Solidified Microstructure of Die Cast Magnesium AlloysEI北大核心CSCD

Magnesium alloys are widely used in various fields because of their outstanding properties. High-pressure die casting (HPDC) is one of the primary manufacturing methods of magnesium alloys. During the HPDC process, the solidification manner of casting is highly dependent on the heat transfer behavior at metal-die interface, which directly affects the solidified microstructure evolution, defect distribution and mechanical properties of the cast products. As common solidified microstructures of die cast magnesium alloys, the externally solidified crystals (ESCs), divorced eutectics and primary dendrites have important influences on the final performance of castings. Therefore, investigations on the interfacial heat transfer behavior and the solidified microstructures of magnesium alloys have considerable significance on the optimization of die-casting process and the prediction of casting quality. In this paper, recent research progress on theoretical simulation and experimental characterization of the heat transfer behaviors and the solidified microstructures of die cast magnesium alloys was systematically presented. The contents include: (1) A boundary-condition model developed based on the interfacial heat transfer coefficients (IHTCs), which could precisely simulate the boundary condition at the metal-die interface during solidification process. Accordingly, the IHTCs can be divided into four stages, namely the initial increasing stage, the high value maintaining stage, the fast decreasing stage and the low value maintaining stage. (2) A numerical model developed to simulate and predict the flow patterns of the externally solidified crystals (ESCs) in the shot sleeve during mold filling process, together with discussion on the influence of the ESCs distribution on the defect bands of die cast magnesium alloys. (3) Nucleation and growth models of the primary alpha-Mg phases developed by considering the ESCs in the shot sleeve. (4) Nucleation and growth models of the divorced eutectic phase, which can be used to simulate the microstructure evolution of die cast magnesium alloys. (5) The 3D morphology and orientation selection of magnesium alloy dendrite. It was found that magnesium alloy dendrite exhibits an eighteen-primary branch pattern in 3D, with six growing along < 11(2)over bar0 > in the basal plane and the other twelve along < 11(2)over bar3 > in non-basal planes. Accordingly, an anisotropy growth function was developed and coupled into the phase field model to achieve the 3D simulation of magnesium alloy dendrite.     

Performance evaluation of PVD coatings for high pressure die casting

During high-pressure die-casting (HPDC) of aluminium alloys, there is a tendency for the molten alloy to react with the tool steel die, core pins and inserts. This occurrence within the high pressure die casting (HPDC) industry is referred to as ‘soldering’. It is of concern to high-pressure die casters because of down-time due to the regular removal of the soldered layer and its detrimental affect on die life and casting quality. In this investigation, several physical vapour deposited (PVD) coatings, namely, TiN, CrN and TiCN, were evaluated for their ability to eliminate soldering during HPDC of aluminium alloys. Accelerated semi-industrial trials were carried out in a 250-t Toshiba HPDC machine using a specially designed die made of P20 tool steel with removable core pins. The results from these trials showed that PVD coatings can act as a physical barrier coating preventing any reaction between the molten aluminium alloy and the tool steel. Thus the problem of soldering on such tools as core pins can be eliminated in high HPDC of aluminium alloys. In the accelerated trials, it was found that soldering was replaced by a built-up layer of cast aluminium alloy, which was less detrimental to tool life and reduced machine down-time due to the reduced need for tool polishing. The experimental results were confirmed by conducting in-plant HPDC trials.     

Effect of superheat,mold, and casting materials on the metal/mold interfacial heat transfer during solidification in graphite-lined permanent molds

Heat transfer during the solidification of an Al-Cu-Si alloy (LM4) and commercial pure tin in single steel, graphite, and graphite-lined metallic (composite) molds was investigated. Experiments were carried out at three different superheats. In the case of composite molds, the effect of the thickness of the graphite lining and the outer wall on heat transfer was studied. Temperatures at known locations inside the mold and casting were used to solve the Fourier heat conduction equation inversely to yield the casting/mold interfacial heat flux transients. Increased melt superheats and higher thermal conductivity of the mold material led to an increase in the peak heat flux at the metal/mold interface. Factorial experiments indicated that the mold material had a significant effect on the peak heat flux at the 5% level of significance. The ratio of graphite lining to outer steel wall and superheat had a significant effect on the peak heat flux in significance range varying between 5 and 25%. A heat flux model was proposed to estimate the maximum heat flux transients at different superheat levels of 25 to 75 °C for any metal/mold combinations having a thermal diffusivity ratio (α _R) varying between 0.25 and 6.96. The heat flow models could be used to estimate interfacial heat flux transients from the thermophysical properties of the mold and cast materials and the melt superheat. Metallographic analysis indicated finer microstructures for castings poured at increased melt superheats and cast in high-thermal diffusivity molds.     

Measurement of temperature inside die and estimation of interfacial heat transfer coefficient in squeeze casting

As an advanced near-net shape technology, squeeze casting is an excellent method for producing high integrity castings. Numerical simulation is a very effective method to optimize squeeze casting process, and the interfacial heat transfer coefficient (IHTC) is an important boundary condition in numerical simulation. Therefore, the study of the IHTC is of great significance. In the present study, experiments were conducted and a"plate shape" aluminum alloy casting was cast in H13 steel die. In order to obtain accurate temperature readings inside the die, a special temperature sensor units (TSU) was designed. Six 1 mm wide and 1 mm deep grooves were machined in the sensor unit for the placement of the thermocouples whose tips were welded to the end wall. Each groove was machined to terminate at a particular distance (1, 3, and 6 mm) from the front end of the sensor unit. Based on the temperature measurements inside the die, the interfacial heat transfer coefficient (IHTC) at the metal-die interface was determined by applying an inverse approach. The acquired data were processed by a low pass filtering method based on Fast Fourier Transform (FFT). The feature of the IHTC at the metal-die interface was discussed.     

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 ...     

提高支架压铸模寿命的途径

以某支架压铸模为例,介绍了压铸模失效的主要形式。针对模具结构、材料及其热处理等影响模具寿命的主要因素,提出了改进模具结构设计、选用优质模具材料并进行正确的热处理等措施,明显提高了支架压铸模寿命。     

Characteristics and formation mechanisms of defect bands in vacuum-assisted high-pressure die casting AE44 alloy

The microstructure in vacuum-assisted high-pressure die casting (HPDC) Mg-4Al-4RE (AE44) alloy was studied. Special attention was paid to the characteristics of defect bands and their formation mechanisms. Since double defect bands are commonly observed, the cross section of die cast samples is divided into five parts with different grain morphologies and size distributions. The inner defect band is much wider than the outer one. Both the defect bands are solute segregation bands, resulting in a higher area fraction of Al₁₁RE₃ phase than that in the adjacent regions. No obvious aggregation of porosities is observed in the defect bands of AE44 alloy. This may be due to a narrow solidification temperature range of AE44 alloy and a large amount of latent heat released during the precipitation of intermetallic phases. The formation of the defect bands is related to the shear stress acting upon the partially solidified alloy, which can lead to collapse of the grain network. However, the generation mechanisms of shear stress in the outer and inner defect bands are quite different.     

推件板—推杆二次推出薄壁壳体压铸模设计

介绍了推件板—推杆二次推出薄壁壳体压铸模结构,模具设有特殊的定距拉板,定距拉板除了起模具分型的定距作用外,还在第2次分型结束时旋转一定角度,解除第1次分型的定距约束,实现分型面Ⅰ的再次分型。分型面Ⅱ分型时推件板带动动模镶块将铸件推离型芯,实现铸件的第1次推出。分型面Ⅰ再次分型到位后,推杆将铸件推离动模型腔,实现铸件的第2次推出。模具结构紧凑,工作可靠,操作方便。     

CAE模拟分析在前盖压铸模设计中的应用

应用Anycasting软件对铸件的填充过程、凝固过程和模具温度场进行模拟分析,利用模拟结果优化模具结构,尽量避免模具设计对铸件质量产生的不利影响,降低铸件缺陷产生的概率,缩短产品开发周期。     

Continuous squeeze casting process by mass production

S queeze casting has been widely used for automotive struc tural parts because it offers a vast material selection from aluminum and magnesium alloys. In comparison with low pressure die casting, squeeze casting also overcomes many fluidity problems and thus it can use both hypereutectic and hypoeutectic alloys such as 319, 383 and 390. Squeeze casting can also apply “spot solidification” technology in addition to directional solidification method. The shortcoming of directional solidificati…     

Casting/mould interfacial heat transfer during solidification in graphite,steel and graphite lined steel moulds

Heat flow between the casting and the mould during solidification of three commercially pure metals, in graphite, steel and graphite lined steel moulds, was assessed using an inverse modelling technique. The analysis yielded the interfacial heat flux (q), heat transfer coefficient (h) and the surface temperatures of the casting and the mould during solidification of the casting. The peak heat flux was incorporated as a dimensionless number and modeled as a function of the thermal diffusivities of the casting and the mould materials. Heat flux transients were normalised with respect to the peak heat flux and modeled as a function of time. The heat flux model proposed was used to estimate the heat flux transients during solidification in graphite lined copper composite moulds.     

基于数值模拟的发动机缸体压铸模浇注系统优化设计

针对镁合金发动机缸体设计了2种不同类型的浇注系统,运用铸造模拟软件ProCAST对2种浇注系统下铸件的充型和凝固过程进行模拟,预测了充型时间、凝固时间和铸件中可能存在的缩孔、疏松及气孔缺陷的分布与尺寸,提出了优化的浇注系统设计。结果表明:在浇注温度670℃、模具初始温度220℃、压射速度8.5m/s的条件下,扇形浇注系统设计优于梳形浇注系统设计。     

Heat treatment of vacuum high pressure die cast magnesium alloy AZ91

Alloys produced by high pressure die casting (HPDC) are generally considered non-heat treatable because trapped gas pores tend to expand, causing surface blistering and bulk distortion. In this paper, vacuum assisted HPDC of magnesium alloy AZ91 was used, and the properties were assessed. The specimens produced using vacuum die casting contain less porosity. Little improvement in yield strength by applying vacuum is found, although a small increase in elongation is observed. A conventional heat treatment applied to the vacuum die cast AZ91 shows pronounced precipitation hardening during aging, especially after a prior solution treatment. However, an associated improvement in yield strength after aging is not observed, and this is related to the decreased contribution of the ‘skin’ effect as a result of grain growth.