不同慢压射速度条件下AZ91D镁合金的真空辅助压铸

对不同慢压射速度条件下真空辅助对AZ91D镁合金压铸件组织及力学性能的影响进行了评估。在联合有自行改进的TOYO真空系统的TOYO BD-350V5型冷室压铸机上制备片状AZ91D镁合金压铸件。研究发现,充型时型腔真空压力随着慢压射速度的升高呈现3次方增长,导致真空辅助对压铸件中气孔的降低能力随着慢压射速度的降低而下降。常规和真空压铸件中压室预结晶组织（ESC）含量随着慢压射速度的变化趋势相似。在较低慢压射速度时,真空压铸件拉伸性能受ESC含量的影响很大,随着慢压射速度的升高,真空压铸件中气孔含量的影响将变得显著。     

Characterization of A390 aluminum alloy produced at different slow shot speeds using vacuum assisted high pressure die casting

The effects of vacuum assistance on the microstructure and mechanical properties of high pressure die cast A390 alloy at different slow shot speeds were evaluated. Plate-shaped specimens of hypereutectic A390 aluminum alloy were produced on a TOYO BD-350V5 cold chamber die casting machine incorporated with a self-improved TOYO vacuum system. According to the results, the vacuum pressure inside the die cavity increased linearly with the increasing slow shot speed at the beginning of mold filling. Meanwhile, tensile properties of vacuum die castings were deteriorated by the porosity content. In addition, the average primary silicon size decreased from 23 to 14 µm when the slow shot speed increased from 0.05 to 0.2 m/s, which has a binary functional relationship with the slow shot speed. After heat treatment, microstructural morphologies revealed that needle-shaped and thin-flaked eutectic silicon particles became rounded while Al₂Cu dissolved into α(Al) matrix. Furthermore, the fractography revealed that the fracture mechanism has evolved from brittle transgranular fracture to a fracture mode with many dimples after heat treatment.     

New ceramic injection systems for hot chamber die casting of aluminium alloys

Abstract

The quality of hot chamber die cast aluminium alloys can vary, due to differences of casting conditions, in particular the casting pressure. This is caused by the plunger tip galling during the casting process. To solve this problem, a new injection system is proposed using a flexible movable plunger tip and an insert type shot sleeve. With this system, the plunger tip can be turned around and slid into the piston holder, which facilitates smooth insertion of the plunger into the shot sleeve. The proposed insert type sleeve can be made with a strong structure. Moreover, even if the sleeve is partially fractured, it can easily be replaced. With the proposed injection system, high quality hot chamber die cast components can be created. In addition, the maintenance cost of the injection system is dramatically reduced.     

Water analogue validation of numerical model for fluid flow during slow shot phase in die casting process

Abstract

Air that becomes entrapped in the molten metal during the die casting process has a major effect on the formation of porosity in horizontal cold chamber die castings. In this study, a three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics model was developed to study the flow patterns of liquid metal in the injection chamber, in which the moving boundary conditions of the plunger movement was considered in detail. According to the principle of die casting machines, a water analogue system was designed and built to investigate the slow shot process. A colour high speed camera was used to record the fluid flow patterns under different plunger movement profiles. The numerical simulation results agreed well with the water analogue experimental results, which validated the numerical model of shot processing in the cold chamber of the die casting process.     

高速热模锻模具热疲劳裂纹萌生期预测

在考虑高速热模锻凹模的材料性能和工况条件基础上，由Ｃｏｆｆｉｎ－Ｍａｎｓｉｏｎ公式导出了热疲劳裂纹萌生期预测公式，并采用这一公式对高速热模锻凹模进行了热疲劳裂纹萌生期的预测。通过试验发现预测结果与试验结果基本吻合。     

铸造热锻模具钢的研究与应用

与锻造模具钢相比，铸造模具钢虽然韧性低，但强度高，红硬性好，具有较低的缺口敏感性和较高的抗热疲劳性，国内外都对铸造热锻模具钢进行了大量的研究。新型铸造热锻模具钢（CHD钢）由于具有较高的强韧性和高温稳定性，使用寿命高于锻造模具，具有广阔应用前景。     

Influence of die casting process parameters on castability and properties of thin walled aluminium housings

Abstract

The objective of this study is to clarify effects of high pressure die casting process parameters for castability and mechanical properties. So the optimal die casting conditions for producing for thin walled Al component was conducted computational solidification simulation and actual die casting with three different venting systems, four straight, checker and full checker vent. Furthermore, the die casting process parameters, such as die controller temperature, high injection speed and die open time, were experimentally evaluated. The results of computational solidification simulation were found that the control of process parameters could lead to soundness of surface and no defect and improvement of mechanical properties. As increasing the high injection speed from 2˙0 to 4˙0 m s^?1 and die temperature, the castability was increased. The full checker venting system had best castability with good surface quality among the three cast specimens.     

Modeling of high temperature- and diffusion-controlled die soldering in aluminum high pressure die casting

Soldering of cast alloys to the dies has been a continuing source of die surface damage in the aluminum die-casting industry. To reduce the repair and maintenance costs, an approach to modeling the damage and predicting the die lifetime is required. The aim of the present study is the estimation of the die lifetime based on a quantitative analysis of die soldering in the framework of the numerical simulations of the die-casting process.Full 3D simulations of the process, including the filling, solidification, and the die cooling, are carried out using the casting simulation software MAGMAsoft. The resulting transient temperature fields on the die surface and in the casting are then post-processed to estimate the die soldering.The present work deals only with the metallurgical/chemical kind of soldering which occurs at high temperatures and involves formation and growth of intermetallic layers. The die-soldering model combines two approaches available in literature, describing the two aspects of die soldering: the growth of the intermetallic layer, and the thermal and metallurgical conditions in the layer that lead to the die soldering. The theoretical model is then extended with the treatment of the intermetallic layer growth controlled by the idealized effective diffusivity and with the treatment of solder strength dependent on the temperature and liquid fraction within the layer. The solder strength locally on the die surface is calculated as a function of the number of die-casting cycles. This also provides the estimation of the die lifetime defined as the number of cycles until the critical solder strength level is reached.Proper validation of the model is required, and the model parameters (the critical solder strength value, among others) need to be calibrated by measurements and data from the die-casting industry.As an example, the model is applied to several cases of high pressure die casting (HPDC) where A380 alloy parts are cast in the H13 steel die. The predicted locations of the higher strength of soldering appear in the “hot spot” areas of the die surface in agreement with the reports in literature. The influence of several casting process parameters such as cooling/spraying efficiency and other parameters that control the thermal history of the die and the casting is in agreement with the expected behavior.     

压铸模具钢的选用浅析

为了获得更好的压铸模具寿命,有必要研究模具损坏的主要原因。模具失效主要是由于裂纹和冲蚀,保证工具钢的耐热性使其具有良好的高温强度,高温韧性和热传导性是关键。对热作模具钢进行了热疲劳性,热导率、横向冲击韧性及组织热疲劳裂纹的数据比较,选择正确的热作工具钢能大幅度提高模具寿命。结果表明,正确选择压铸模用钢,能提高模具的产品质量和延长使用寿命,且生产效率高、经济效益好。     

Impact behaviour of A356 alloy for low-pressure die casting automotive wheels

Instrumented impact strength tests have been carried out on KV sub-size Charpy samples drawn from A356 aluminium alloy 17-in. wheels, produced by a low-pressure die casting. The wheels show different geometry and thermal treatment. In this paper, the effects of microstructure and defects on the impact properties are studied. The results indicate that the impact energy is lower in as-cast wheel than in T6 heat-treated wheels. A finer microstructure always corresponds to higher impact strength, while a direct correlation between the resistance to crack propagation values and secondary dendrite arm spacing (SDAS) exists. Casting defects, revealed by means of X-ray and density measurements techniques, become critical when concentrated around the V-notch, where they reduce the load bearing area of Charpy specimens. The fracture profile and surface of Charpy specimens have been investigated revealing how the crack crosses the interdendritic eutectic region where a significant fraction of cracked eutectic silicon and intermetallic particles is found.Numerical simulations have been performed to study the filling and solidification behaviour of the alloy of the wheels analysed, in order to predict the final microstructure and shrinkage formation. Solidification times, estimated by means of SDAS measurements and calculated with a numerical simulation approach, show a good correspondence. Critical areas, as concern hot spots and shrinkage porosities, are generally revealed in the zone of the wheels between the spoke and the rim, as well as in the rim area.     

Effect of cold flakes on mechanical properties of aluminium alloy die casts

Abstract

The cold flake was detected in aluminium alloy die casts ADC12 by using the scanning acoustic microscope, and was visualised in the acoustic image as bright and dark regions, which were corresponding to the oxide layer and the body of the cold flake respectively. By using the specimen which contains the cold flake, the tensile testing and the fatigue testing were carried out. The in process ultrasonic measurement was also carried out with a water bag in the fatigue testing to detect detachment of the cold flake from the matrix in the fatigue process. From these results, it was found that the cold flake was detached from the matrix in the fatigue process to form a crack, and cold flakes, especially exposed cold flakes, reduce the tensile strength and the fatigue life of die casts. The effect of the cold flake on the strengths was discussed from the point of crack propagation.     

Squeeze casting of aluminium alloys for higher formability in cold forging

Abstract

This research project investigated the process conditions of using squeeze casting process to produce aluminium alloy preforms or billets for subsequent cold forging process. The comparative effects of heat treatments, their microstructures and mechanical properties were evaluated. Through these studies and experiments, the main emphasis is on the study of commercial material Al 6061, Al 2014 and Al 356 alloys. The formability of the alloys was carried out using forward and backward extrusion test at 50% area reduction at room temperature (cold extrusion). It was found that when wrought aluminium 6061, 2014 and 356 alloys were squeeze cast to form the preforms, the preform microstructures revealed very fine microstructures that are feasible to be cold extruded. In addition, after thermal annealing treatment of 6061 squeeze cast preforms, the samples showed a similar value of work hardening exponent value of 0˙20 as compared to the wrought aluminium alloy 6061, with a workhardening exponent value of 0˙21 obtained from the static compression test. Wrought aluminium alloys generally cost twice the amount as compared with casting ingots. The microstructures of the squeeze cast 6061 alloy showed no visible cracks or inclusions after the deformation by extrusion. The results of the studies showed that Al 6061 preforms via squeeze cast technique may be cold extruded or formed, which provide an alternative means for the production of billets for the cold extrusion or forging process.     

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.     

一模多腔点浇口压铸模设计

介绍了一副在卧式冷室压铸机上使用的二次分型、一模多腔点浇口压铸模。浇注系统的布置及模具结构可使浇注系统自行脱落,通过理论计算确定了浇注系统的相关参数。     

精铸模具在热锻模上的应用

概述了精铸热锻模具的国内外应用状况，分析了精铸热锻模具在国内应用中存在的问题，精铸热锻模具钢合金化不合理、对精铸热锻模具钢韧性要求过高、对精铸热锻模具制造过程的控制不够严格和精铸热锻模具钢的热疲劳抗力和高温耐磨性不高等是国内精铸热锻模具未广泛应用的主要原因。采用新型精铸模具钢制备热锻模并进行现场应用。应用结果表明：精铸热锻模具具有性能高、寿命长、经济效益显著等明显的优势，精铸模具的寿命稳定达到5000件-7000件，比锻造模具寿命提高80％以上；精铸模具均以塑性变形、磨损失效和热疲劳为主要失效形式，已基本消除脆性断裂现象，因此热锻模的精铸是一个非常有前途的模具制造方法。     

Influence of casting defects on fatigue behaviour of A356 aluminium alloy

Abstract

The fatigue behaviour of A356 cast aluminium alloy under 10⁴ cycles was investigated by a servo-hydraulic machine at the temperature of 150°C. The specimens for the fully reversible tension compression tests were cut from cylinder head castings of automobile engines. The testing data were treated by S–N curve and the staircase method and the mean values of fatigue property coincided with each other by these two methods, though the data scattered with different casting defects. The fracture surfaces of fatigue specimens were examined by OM, SEM and EDS. It was found that in most of the specimens two or more fatigue crack initiations appeared at a fracture surface. Compared with casting defects such as oxide film, inclusion and blowhole, shrinkage porosity is more detrimental to the fatigue behaviour of aluminium alloy castings.     

Influence of Hot Deformation on Mechanical Properties and Microstructure of a Twin-Roll Cast Aluminium Alloy EN AW-6082

Thin strips of medium- and high-strength age-hardening aluminium alloys are widely used in the automotive industry. Reducing their production costs caused by high energy consumption is an actual challenge. The implementation of the twin-roll casting technology is promising. However, mechanical properties of directly cast high-alloyed thin aluminium strips are oftentimes inadequate to standard specifications. In this work, the influence of a hot deformation following a twin-roll cast strip process on the mechanical properties and microstructure is investigated. For this study strips of age-hardening aluminium alloy EN AW-6082—manufactured at a laboratory scaled twin-roll caster—were single-pass rolled at temperatures of 420 °C and true strains of up to 0.5. The mechanical properties of the as-cast and by different strains hot deformed material in the soft-annealed and age-hardened states were characterized by tensile tests. The results reveal that the twin-roll cast material features the necessary strength properties, though it does not meet the standard requirements for ductility. Furthermore, the required minimum strain during hot rolling that is necessary to ascertain the standard specifications has been determined. Based on micrographs, the uniformity of the mechanical properties and of the microstructure as a result of recrystallization due to hot metal forming and heat treatment were determined. A fine-grain microstructure and satisfactory material ductility after prior rolling with a true strain above 0.41 for the age-hardened state T6 and above 0.1 for the soft-annealed state O have been established.     

Twin roll strip casting of high strength Al alloys with high solute contents using asymmetric nozzle

We investigated the feasibility of producing high strength Al alloy sheets with high solute contents using a twin roll strip caster equipped with an asymmetric nozzle. The combination of twin roll casting and the asymmetric nozzle used in this study reduced centreline segregation and hot tear, thereby increasing the casting speed. These features of the strip casting allowed the dissolution of more solute elements, suggesting the potential development of high strength Al alloys with a range of Mg contents up to 10 wt-%. The workability and mechanical properties of the cast strips were also evaluated to assess the feasibility of producing high strength Al alloy sheets superior to the present limit of conventional techniques.     

Grain size distribution in a complex AM60 magnesium alloy die casting

Presolidified equiaxed dendritic crystals are observed in magnesium cold chamber high pressure die castings. Depending on the rate at which new crystals are formed and to what extent they survive in the shot sleeve, a mixture of liquid and crystals is injected into the die cavity resulting in floating crystals in the casting. Box shaped die castings of the AM60 magnesium alloy have been made with a cold chamber high pressure die casting machine. The resulting microstructure is generally observed to consist of (a) a fine grained structure or (b) a mixture of fine grains and coarse grains which is either centred or dispersed in the through thickness cross-section. The prevalence of structures is observed to vary with position in the casting. Close to the gate a coarse grained microstructure dominates, while fine grains dominate further from the gate. The volume fraction of floating crystals in the casting is shown to depend on the initial superheat of the melt. IJCMR/492     

Korrosionsermüdung von Aluminium- und Magnesium-Gußlegierungen

Corrosion fatigue of cast aluminium- and cast magnesium alloys The fatigue properties of the aluminium cast alloys AlSi7Mg and AlSi10Mg, magnesium high pressure die-cast AZ91 hp and AM60 hp, as well as low-pressure permanent mould casting AZ91 hp were determined at numbers of cycles to failure between 10⁵ and 10⁹ in ambient air and in saltwater spray. The investigations were performed at constant amplitudes and in addition at varying load amplitudes for aluminium cast alloy AlSi10Mg and low-pressure permanent mould casting AZ91 hp with a high-frequency testing facility (20 kHz ultrasound). The SN-curves of the aluminium cast alloys and of the magnesium low-pressure permanent mould casting are steeper in corrosive environment than in laboratory air. No endurance limit could be detected up to 10⁹ cycles in both environments. The magnesium high pressure die-cast alloys do not have an endurance limit in saltwater spray, whereas an endurance limit could be detected in laboratory air. The life time curves for in-service loading conditions are about parallel to the SN-curves for ambient air, but steeper for corrosive environment. The reason for the reduced fatigue properties in corrosive environment are accelerated crack initiation and higher crack propagation rates. Material defects may lead to a large scatter of the fatigue data for testing in air as well as in saltwater spray. Corrosion pits are formed on the surface of both light-weight alloys at higher number of cycles. They become crack initiation sites.