The effect of casting temperature on the properties of squeeze cast aluminium and zinc alloys

Gravity casting and squeeze casting were carried out on an aluminium alloy with 13.5% silicon and a zinc alloy with 4.6% aluminium with different temperatures, 660, 690 and 720 °C for the former and 440, 460 and 480 °C for the latter. A top-loading crucible furnace was used to melt the alloys. The die-preheat temperatures used were 200–220 °C for the aluminium alloy and 150–165 °C for the zinc alloy. A K-type thermocouples with digital indicator were used to measure the die surface temperature and the molten metal temperature; while a 25 t hydraulic press with a die-set containing a steel mould was used to perform the squeeze casting with a pressure of 62 MPa. Tensile, impact and density tests were carried out on the specimens. It was found that casting temperature had an effect on the mechanical properties of both gravity cast and squeeze cast aluminium and zinc alloys. The best temperatures to gravity cast the aluminium alloy and the zinc alloy were 720 and 460 °C, respectively. For the squeeze casting of the aluminium alloy, the best temperature to use was either 690 or 660 °C; the former would give a better property at the top of the casting while the latter, at the bottom of the casting. However, for the squeeze casting of the zinc alloy, the best temperature was again 460 °C.