Simulation Fluidity Test for Semisolid Squeeze Casting

The paper deals with semi solid squeeze casting technology. Fluidity tests were designed for the selected technology. The shape of the test casting was designed in the shape of test bars with different thicknesses and also in the shape of a stepped casting. The thickness of the individual elements was chosen on the basis of a selected / preferred numbers R10 EN STN 17. As a result, the thickness of the elements was 2.0, 2.5, 3.15, 4.0, 5.0 and 6.3 mm. Designed fluidity tests were verified by using ProCast simulation software. The selected process parameters were: operating pressure 80 MPa, mold temperature 200 °C, piston speed 30 mm.s-1. The experimental material was an AlSi7Mg0.3 alloy with a different solid phase content. The initial solid amount were 50, 55 and 60 %. The effect of solidus and liquidus, temperature distribution and pressure was monitored during the evaluation of fluidity.

The Influence of Using Different Types of Risers or Chills on Shrinkage Production for Different Wall Thickness for Material EN-GJS-400-18LT

In modern times, there are increasing requirements for products quality in every part of manufacturing industry and in foundry industry it is not different. That is why a lot of foundries are researching, how to effectively produce castings with high quality. This article is dealing with search of the influence of using different types of risers or chills on shrinkage cavity production in ductile iron castings. Differently shaped risers were designed using the Wlodawer’s modulus method and test castings were poured with and without combination of chills. Efficiency of used risers and chills was established by the area of created shrinkage cavity using the ultrasound nondestructive method. There are introduced the production process of test castings and results of ultrasound nondestructive reflective method. The object of this work is to determine an optimal type of riser or chill for given test casting in order to not use overrated risers and thus increase the cost effectiveness of the ductile iron castings production.

Rheological Behavior and Fluidity of Semi-Solid SiCp/A357 Composites with Different SiC Addition Levels

The apparent viscosities of the semi-solid SiCp/A357 composites with 0vol.%, 10vol.% and 20vol.% SiC particles manufactured by stir casting were investigated using a Couette type viscometer, and the composite fluidity was examined with a test casting. The results showed that, the viscosities of the semi-solid SiCp/A357 composites decreased with an increase in shear rate, but increased with the increasing of solid fraction, and apparent viscosity of 10vol.% SiCp/A357 composite was the lower than that of 20vol.% SiCp/A357 composite at the same solid fraction; and the composite fluidity results were in a good agreement with the viscosity ones.

Contribution to the Identification of Porosity Type in AlSiCu High-Pressure-Die-Castings by Experimental and Virtual Way

The paper concerns the problem of discontinuity in high pressure die castings (HPDC). The compactness of their structure is not perfect, as it is sometimes believed. The discontinuities present in these castings are the porosity as follow: shrinkage and gas (hydrogen and gas-air occlusions) origin. The mixed gas and shrinkage nature of porosity makes it difficult to identify and indicate the dominant source. The selected parameters of metallurgical quality of AlSi9Cu3 alloy before and after refining and the gravity castings samples (as DI - density index method), were tested and evaluated. This alloy was served to cast the test casting by HPDC method. The penetrating testing (PT) and metallographic study of both kinds of castings were realized. The application of the NF&S simulation system allowed virtually to indicate the porosity zones at risk of a particular type in gravity and high-pressure-die-castings. The comparing of these results with the experiment allowed to conclude about NF&S models validation. The validity of hypotheses concerning the mechanisms of formation and development of porosity in HPDC casting were also analyzed.

Modelling Die Filling in Ultra-Thin Aluminium Castings

This work aims to develop flow and thermal control methods for the high pressure die casting (HPDC) of very thin-walled aluminium components where thicknesses are predominantly less than 1 mm. One specific aim includes developing advanced modelling capability using CFD software to predict the complex structure of the metal flow in the die and the casting solidification. The modelling based on FLOW-3D started initially with a fluidity die study to establish several key parameters in HPDC modelling through experimental validation. A new test casting geometry has been designed in the form of a shallow tray with other features such as changes in curvature, fins and bosses. The casting thickness can be made variable in the die. The experimental work was conducted on a 250-tonne HPDC machine. Initial models of molten metal flow in the die cavity based on a runner design for casting thicknesses between 1.5 mm and 1 mm are presented. The detailed model required a very large mesh of very small elements, and more accurate physical parameters which may not have been previously available.