<p>Aluminum-Silicon (Al-Si) alloys are often preferred in the die casting industry due to excellent castability, high strength, corrosion resistance and low cost. Commonly, iron (Fe) is alloyed with the alloys to prevent die soldering. However, the addition of Fe in most of Al-Si alloys leads to formation of the intermetallic β-AlFeSi. The β-AlFeSi is harmful to the alloy structural integrity due to its needle-like morphology that creates stress concentration at the microscopic level. The phase presence is unfavorable to the mechanical properties and significantly reduces the elongation of the alloys. This research attempted to find viable way to control the morphology and formation of the β-AlFeSi phase.</p> <p>Thermodynamic simulations were done to investigate the sequence of intermetallic formation and other phases at different alloy compositions. The analysis of solidification paths of different alloys provided the correlation between the phase formation sequence and the fraction of the β-AlFeSi phase. The analysis also identified the feasible region of alloy design for minimizing the β-AlFeSi formation. Based on the thermodynamics simulation analysis, five alloys of different compositions were designed to validate the finding of the simulation. </p> <p>The tensile test results of the alloys indicated that lowering the Fe content increases the elongation of the alloy. The results also showed that elongation was reduced with the increase of Si level due to the formation of eutectic Silicon. The change of both Fe and Mn did not significantly affect the mechanical property of the alloy when the ratio of Fe to Mn was constant. Microscopic analysis showed that lowering the Fe level had effectively altered the morphology of the β-AlFeSi needle like structure. The β-AlFeSi was found to be smaller in terms of size when Fe is lower, subsequently reducing the probability of β-AlFeSi phase to be stress riser and crack initiation. </p> <p>The influence of heat treatment to the mechanical property of the alloys was also studied. The mechanical result on the heat-treated samples indicated that heat treatment is a viable method to improve the elongation property of the alloy. Microscopic observations showed that the β-AlFeSi phase was broken into shorter structures over the solution heat treatment process, resulting in better elongation. </p>

Thesis (PhD) - Swinburne University of Technology, Industrial Research Institute Swinburne - 2007. / [A thesis submitted] for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, Industrial Research Institute, Swinburne University of Technology - 2007. Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (p. 154-167).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Ohio State University, 2007. / Title from first page of PDF file. Includes bibliographical references (p. 243-249).

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Michigan, 1986.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Michigan, 1986.

Thesis (MScEng) -- Stellenbosch University, 2003. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: High Speed Cutting (HSC), specifically milling is a significant contemporary development in machining. The Die and Mould industry is experiencing a difficult business climate. There is competitive pressure for shorter lead times and lower prices. Companies worldwide, are under financial pressure, to meet the challenges of a globalised business environment. The conventional position of milling and Electric Discharge Machining (EDM / Erosion) is discussed with the proposal to use HSC and EDM as complementary processes. Among new developments the progress in computer infrastructure is prominent. There is also a paradigm shift that should be made from experience based process planning to modern, up to date knowledge based process planning. High Speed Cutting is now a mature process capable of acceptable process security. The examples detailed include crankshaft-forging tooling, injection moulding tooling and powder sintering tooling. A process chain is proposed for the complementary HSC / EDM process with estimated illustrative time saving over the conventional EDM dominated process. HSC will be the first process removing the bulk of the material, finishing as far as possible and with EDM finally machining the features that will be difficult or impossible with HSC. To facilitate the use of the complementary processes a decision model to determine the crossover point between HSC and EDM is proposed. The decision model is firstly presented as a flow diagram to determine whether the task is a candidate for HSC only, EDM only, or the complementary HSC / EDM process. The key parameters e.g tool H d ratio are variables. This is in order that the flow diagram may be adapted to a specific machine tool infrastructure and expertise level in a company. The second part is a HSC machining time estimation model. The time is estimated per segment roughed, semi-finished, or finish machined. The model is in an empirical form with constants that can be adapted to the practices of a specific company. It is intended that the constants also be periodically revised to reflect the development in HSC expertise that will occur during the use HSC in the company. The model is practically evaluated with a case study, including the detail steps, not included in the model. Conceptual guidelines are given for software implementation. It is concluded that HSC and EDM are suitable complementary processes. It is a necessary prerequisite to use pallets to avoid multiple set-ups. Complementary HSC and EDM is especially appropriate for the gradual deployment and skill development for HSC. HSC and complementary HSC / EDM is considered the opportunity for companies to make a major breakthrough in lead time and operating expense if the necessary pallet/fixturing equipment, CAx infrastructure and human capability is available. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hoe Spoed Masjinering (HSC), spesifiek frees is ‘n betekenisvolle ontwikkeling in masjinering. Die Gereedskap en Gietvorm bedryf ervaar ‘n moelike besigheidsklimaat. Daar is kompeterende druk vir korter lewertye en laer pryse. Maatskappye wereldwyd is onder finansiele druk om in die geglobaliseerde besigheidsmilieu te presteer. Die posisie van frees en Elektriese Ontladingsmasjinering (EDM / Vonkerosie) word bespreek met die voorstel om HSC en EDM as komplementere prosesse te gebruik. Onder die nuwe ontwikkelings is daar prominente vooruitgang in rekenaarinfrastruktuur. Daar is ook ‘n paradigmaverskuiwing nodig van ondervinding gebaseerde na op datum kennis gebaseerde proses beplanning. HSC is nou ‘n ontwikkelde proses met voldoende prosessekerheid. Die voorbeelde sluit krukas smee gereedskap, inspuitgiet gereedskap, en poeier-sinter persgereedskap in. ‘n Prosesketting word voorgestel vir die komplementere HSC / EDM proses met ‘n beraamde illustratiewe tydbesparing oor die konvensionele EDM gedomineerde proses. HSC sal die eerste proses wees wat die meerderheid van die materiaal verwyder en oppervlaktes so ver as moontlik afwerk, met EDM wat die finale afwerking doen en ook die masjinering wat vir moeilik haalbaar of onmoontlik is vir HSC. Om die gebruik van die komplementere prosesse te fasiliteer, word ‘n beluitnemingsmodel vir die oorgangspunt tussen HSC en EDM voorgestel. Dit word eerstens as vloeidiagram gebruik om die taak te klassifiseer vir HSC alleen, EDM alleen of vir komplementere HSC en EDM. Die sleutelparameters, bv die beitel 116 verhouding, is veranderlikes. Dit is sodat die vloeidiagram aangepas kan word by ‘n spesifieke masjienvermoe en ‘n kundigheidsvlak in ‘n maatskappy. Die tweede deel is ‘n HSC masjineringstyd model. Die tyd word beraam per segment uitgerof, afgewerk, of finaal afgewerk. Die model is in empiriese vorm met konstantes wat kan aangepas word by die praktyke van ‘n firma. Dit is die bedoeling dat die konstantes periodiek aangepas word om die ontwikkeling te weerspieel wat in die maatskappy plaasvind. Die model word prakties evalueer met ‘n gevallestudie, insluitend die detailstappe, wat nie in die modelformulering ingesluit is nie. Konseptuele riglyne word gegee vir programmatuur implementering. Die gevolgtrekking word gemaak dat HSC en EDM geskikte komplementere prosesse is. Dit is ‘n voorvereiste om pallette te gebruik om veelvuldige opstellings te vermy. Komplementere HSC / EDM is veral toepaslik om HSC geleidelik in ‘n firma te ontplooi en kundigheid te bou. Die HSC / EDM kombinasie word ook die geleentheid geag vir firmas om ‘n deurbraak te maak in lewertyd en bedryfsuitgawes as die nodige pallettoerusting, CAx infrastruktuur en menslike vermoe beskikbaar is.

Aluminium alloys have been seen a dramatic increase in transport manufacturing in past two decades. This is primarily driven by the achievement of effective weight-savings, increased vehicle fuel efficiency and reduced CO2 emissions in transport. One of the significant progresses in most recent years has been in the application of aluminium-intensive car body structure, in which the manufacturing of thin wall castings with improved ductility is one of the critical issues. High pressure die casting (HPDC) is a fast and economical near-net shape manufacturing method to produce thin wall components. Therefore the application of HPDC process to make thin wall structural components for aluminium-intensive car body structure is one of the most challenges in recent development. However, the currently available die cast aluminium alloys are unable to fulfil this requirement because of the insufficient ductility, which is essential for joining castings with sheets and extruded parts. This has become critical in further development and extensive acceptance in car manufacturing industry. Generally, the mechanical properties of die castings are determined by alloy composition, defect levels and microstructure in the castings. In the present study, the significant achievement is the development of Al-Mg-Si-Mn alloy for HPDC process to provide improved ductility in die castings in order to satisfy the requirement of mechanical properties, in particular ductility for the application in automotive body structure. Starting from the thermodynamic analysis and CALPHAD (Computer Coupling of Phase Diagrams and Thermochemistry) modelling of Al-Mg-Si system for solidification and phase formation, the alloy composition was optimised using international standard tensile samples to review the effect of various alloying elements on the mechanical properties. Another achievement is the understanding of the solidification and microstructural evolution, the relationship between the microstructure and mechanical properties, and the strengthening mechanisms in the developed alloy. The solidification behaviour in the shot sleeve and in the die cavity was examined for the formation of the primary α-Al phase, eutectic Al-Mg2Si phases in the alloy. The morphology, size and size distribution of the primary α-Al phase were characterised under different solidification conditions. The growth morphology of the primary α-Al phase formed in the shot sleeve and in the die cavity was analysed using the Mullins-Sekerka instability theory and the growth rate of eutectic Al-Mg2Si phases during solidification was calculated using Jackson-Hunt theory. Still another achievement is the study of the effect of Mn and Fe on the morphology, size and distribution of various Fe-rich compounds in the Al-Mg-Si alloy produced by HPDC process. The assessment was associated with the mechanical properties of yield strength, ultimate tensile strength and elongation with different Fe and Mn contents. CALPHAD modelling of multi-component Al-Mg-Si-Mn-Fe and Al-Mg-Si-Fe systems was studied to find out the effect of Fe impurity in the Al-Mg-Si alloy. The precise accumulation of iron during HPDC using fully recycled materials was examined to predict the maximum cycles to produce castings with required mechanical properties. The strengthening mechanism and the relationship between the microstructure and mechanical properties are explored in the alloy made by secondary materials. Furthermore, the effect of nickel on the microstructure and mechanical properties of the die-cast Al-Mg-Si-Mn alloy was also studied in association with the formation of Ni-rich intermetallics during solidification in the die-cast Al-Mg-Si-Mn alloy containing different Ni contents. The final achievement is the understanding of the repeatability of die castings made by the new alloy with industrial scale components. The tensile properties of standard samples that were obtained directly from HPDC process and made by the machined die castings at different locations were further assessed for the reproducibility of casting components made by the Al-Mg-Si-Mn alloy. The distributions of yield strength, ultimate tensile strength and elongation of the tensile samples were analysed by the average values with standard deviations and by the Weibull statistical model with three parameters. The correlations between the mechanical properties and the microstructural features, porosity levels and fracture morphology were investigated for the different types of samples. It was found that three-parameter Weibull analysis was capable of analysing the reproducibility of die cast components and the scattering of tensile properties was mainly due to the presence of porosity and non-uniform microstructure in the die-castings.

Casting is a substantial part of modern manufacturing and production, typically used in the production of aluminum alloys. The high pressure die casting process is extremely suitable for mass production. Due to the high volume, wasted time and resources during the production cycle become more significant. Aluminum die castings require the die to be at elevated temperatures to produce acceptable castings. When the inner surfaces of a die are cold, the outer shell of the casting will cool too rapidly, and solidification of the outer shell occurs before the aluminum has time to uniformly fill the cavities. Therefore, without the die being within the proper temperature range, the castings produced will have significant issues in porosity and casting incompleteness. Furthermore, stresses are introduced to the casting surfaces when warm-up shots are used to raise the temperature prior to production. In the present work, research is conducted on designing a heating method for a casting die used in the manufacturing of an automotive transmission intermediate plate. An electric, short wave infrared heating system is simple and effective for the purpose. By utilizing an electric infrared heater in combination with a flat mirror reflector, the aluminum high pressure die casting die was heated to 300 ◦C surface temperature within 30 minutes. Further research can be done to optimize heat flux distribution and minimize energy consumption.

A hot chamber die casting machine designed for zinc was donated to Purdue University. This machine was slated for retrofit of components necessary for aluminum hot chamber die casting. Existing components designed for zinc, mainly H-13 and cast iron, do not have the necessary service life to economically produce castings due to chemical attack on machine components from molten aluminum. Multiple systems were redesigned, including the pot, plunger, gooseneck, furnace, and cooling lines. All components were upgraded to allow for the higher service temperatures needed for molten aluminum, along with a niobium gooseneck and anviloy nozzle to resist chemical attack of injection components. Once design and retrofitting were complete aluminum alloy A380 was used in conjunction with a niobium gooseneck design to create tensile bars. These tensile bars were subsequently tested and mechanical properties evaluated.

No abstract provided. / Thesis / Master of Science (MSc)