Semi-solid Die Casting of Some Aluminum Alloys for Lightweight Automotive Components

Semi-solid Die Casting of Some Aluminum Alloys for Lightweight Automotive Components

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Part of the Lecture Notes in Mechanical Engineering book series (LNME)

Abstract

The use of light alloys in automotive applications has been rapidly increasing in the industry as a means to reduce fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions. Semi-solid forming process for Al-Si based alloys, which produces near-net shape components with the desired properties and cost effectiveness satisfies the requirements in this regard. This paper explores the potential of Al-Si based alloys in semi-solid forming of truck components, which were originally casted in iron-based alloy. The Swirled Enthalpy Equilibration Device (SEED) technique was utilized to prepare semi-solid slurries of A356 and 319s. In order to improve the mechanical properties of rheo-HPDC components, various heat treatment cycles were studied. Microstructural characteristics of the alloys under different heat treatment conditions were examined using optical and scanning electron microscopy. Hardness and tensile experiments were applied to evaluate the mechanical properties of the alloys. A comparison of cost and static load performance was conducted for various materials. The findings indicate that the rheo-HPDC technique has been successful in producing Al-Si-based alloys with an optimal microstructure that combines both quality and mechanical performance.

Keywords

  • SEED
  • Semi-solid
  • Al-Si-based alloys
  • Microstructure
  • Mechanical

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Acknowledgment

This research was supported by the Key Research and Devel-opment Program of Shandong Province, China. (Grant Number 2021ZLGX01 and 2020CXGC010305), the Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province, China. (Grant Number BK20160369), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) (Grant Number No. 51705292) and the Natural Science Foundation of Shandong Province, China (Grant Number ZR201702180340). The authors acknowledge SINOTRUK for X-ray radiography equipments support.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Key Laboratory for Liquid-Solid Structural Evolution and Processing of Materials, Ministry of Education, Shandong University, Ji’nan, 250061, Shandong, People’s Republic of ChinaGuochao Gu, Lixin Xiang, Hongliang Zheng & Yupeng Lv
  2. School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shandong University, Ji’nan, 250061, Shandong, People’s Republic of ChinaGuochao Gu, Lixin Xiang, Hongliang Zheng & Yupeng Lv
  3. Shandong Institute for Product Quality Inspection, Ji’nan, 250102, Shandong, People’s Republic of ChinaRuifen Li

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Guochao Gu .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. PSL Research University, CEMEF - MINES ParisTech, Sophia Antipolis, FranceKatia Mocellin
  2. PSL Research University, CEMEF - MINES ParisTech, Sophia Antipolis, FrancePierre-Olivier Bouchard
  3. Arts et Metiers Institute of Technology, LCFC, Metz, FranceRégis Bigot
  4. Arts et Metiers Institute of Technology, LCFC, Metz, FranceTudor Balan

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