Abstract: A degassing and grain refinement system for a cast aluminum-based component and a method of achieving both hydrogen gas presence reduction and grain size reduction in a cast aluminum-based component. Ultrasonic vibrations are imparted to both the liquid metal travel path from its source to the mold to achieve the reduction in hydrogen gas in the molten metal, as well as to one or more locations within the mold to achieve relatively small and equiaxed grains in the component upon solidification.

Abstract: A quantitative metallographic method to measure skin layer thickness in high pressure die cast aluminum components. Because the faster-cooling skin layer region exhibits a higher volume fraction of eutectic phases than that of a slower-cooling inner region, measurements showing such higher eutectic phases can be used to quantify such layer thickness. An image at various thicknesses of a location of interest in a cast component sample is first obtained using an image analyzer, from which eutectic volume fractions within each of the received images may be determined. Comparisons of the determined volume fractions can be made against a known or predicted quantity for a particular alloy composition, and then correlated to the skin layer thickness via differences between the received or measured quantities and those of the known standard.

Abstract: A method of reducing entrained aluminum oxides in aluminum castings. The method comprises preheating a furnace charge to remove moisture and contaminants. The furnace charge is then coated on all free surfaces with a layer of flux. Subsequently the furnace charge is melted in a furnace to form a melt bath of liquid aluminum suitable for casting. The flux layer removes the naturally occurring oxide film from the furnace charge surface as well as provides a cover flux to protect the melt bath from oxidation.

Abstract: A method of forming a bi-metallic casting. The method includes providing a metal preform of a desired base shape defining a substrate surface and removing a natural oxide layer and surface contamination from the substrate surface to yield a cleaned metal preform. The method further includes galvanizing the cleaned metal preform, yielding a galvanized metal preform followed by electroplating a thin nickel film on at least a portion of the substrate surface of the galvanized metal preform. Additionally, the method includes metallurgically bonding the portion of the metal preform having the nickel film with an overcast metal to form a bi-metallic casting. The nickel film promotes a metallurgical bond between the metal preform and the overcast metal.

Abstract: A method to automatically quantify dendrite arm spacing in dendritic microstructures. Once a location of interest in a cast material specimen has been identified, the information contained in it is automatically analyzed to quantify dendrite cell size information that is subsequently converted into a quantified dendrite arm spacing through an empirical relationship or a theoretical relationship. In one form, the relationship between DCS and DAS is such that the DAS in dendritic structure of cast aluminum alloys may be automatically determined from the measurement of one or more of dendrite cell size and the actual volume fraction of the eutectic phases in the local casting microstructure. Non-equilibrium conditions may be accounted for in situations where a theoretical volume fraction of a eutectic phase of the alloy in equilibrium condition is appropriately modified.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method of rapidly predicting at least one of residual stress and distortion of a quenched aluminum casting. Input data corresponding to at least one of topological features, geometrical features and quenching process parameters associated with the casting is operated upon by the computer that is configured as a neural network to determine output data corresponding to at least one of the residual stress and distortion based on the input data. The neural network is trained to determine the validity of at least one of the input data and output data and to retrain the network when an error threshold is exceeded. Thereby, residual stresses and distortion in the quenched aluminum castings can be predicted using the embodiments in a tiny fraction of the time required by conventional finite-element based approaches.

Abstract: An aluminum alloy that can be cast into structural components wherein at least some of the raw materials used to produce the alloy are sourced from secondary production sources. In addition to aluminum as the primary constituent, such an alloy includes 5 to 14% silicon, 0 to 1.5% copper, 0.2 to 0.55% magnesium, 0.2 to 1.2% iron, 0.1 to 0.6% manganese, 0 to 0.5% nickel, 0 to 0.8% zinc, 0 to 0.2% of other trace elements selected from the group consisting essentially of titanium, zirconium, vanadium, molybdenum and cobalt. In a preferred form, most of the aluminum is from a secondary production source. Methods of analyzing a secondary production aluminum alloy to determine its constituent makeup is also disclosed, as is a method of adjusting the constituent makeup of such an alloy in situations where the alloy is out of tolerance when measured against its primary source counterpart.

Abstract: A method for estimating proper eutectic modification level in a liquid metal to minimize macro shrinkage porosity and gas bubbles during casting of aluminum automobile components, and a system and article for casting.

Abstract: A number of variations may include at least one mold portion that may define a first cavity, a circular gating system, and at least one sprue. The circular gating system may surround the first cavity and define a continuous in-gate from the circular gating to the first cavity. The at least one sprue and at least one vent may be in fluid communication with the circular gating system and the first cavity.

Abstract: A method, device and article of manufacture for determining properties in a high pressure die cast component. Upon receipt of geometric information that corresponds to a location of interest within the component, a ray-triangle intersection relationship is used to calculate a wall thickness of the location of interest; this relationship is simplified by being used in conjunction with an octree-based relationship. One or more calculations are performed to determine a skin thickness based on the calculated wall thickness, and the skin thickness calculations are based on at least one of a logarithmic relationship, a polynomial relationship and a power law relationship. Changes in component shape or size may be taken into consideration to adjust the remaining skin layer thickness, such as that when the as-cast component is exposed to subsequent machining or related post-casting operations.

Abstract: A device and article of manufacture to predict material properties of a cast aluminum-based component. In one form, a computer-based system includes numerous computation modules programmably cooperative with one another such that upon receipt of data that corresponds to the cast aluminum-based component, the modules provide performance indicia of the material. The modules include a thermodynamic calculation module, a thermal-physical property module, a mechanical property module and a materials selection or alloy design module. The combination of the modules along with known material and geometric databases—in addition to microstructural and defect databases—promotes the generation of materials properties needed for casting design, casting process simulation, CAE nodal property mapping and durability analysis.

Abstract: A method of in situ formation of an aluminum carbon nanotube composite material and an induction motor component produced with such composite. The method includes forming an aluminum-based matrix by mixing a catalyst precursor with an aluminum powder such that a colloidal compound is formed that is subsequently sintered to leave a catalytically-active material formed on the surface of the aluminum powder. A carbon-containing gas is introduced to the composite catalyst that includes aluminum and the catalytic metal so that carbon nanotube reinforcements are grown on the aluminum-based matrix with the assistance of the catalytically-active metal. Additional mechanical processing steps may also include pressurizing, sintering and cold-rolling the aluminum carbon nanotube composite material.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method of rapidly predicting at least one of residual stress and distortion of a quenched aluminum casting. Input data corresponding to at least one of topological features, geometrical features and quenching process parameters associated with the casting is operated upon by the computer that is configured as a neural network to determine output data corresponding to at least one of the residual stress and distortion based on the input data. The neural network is trained to determine the validity of at least one of the input data and output data and to retrain the network when an error threshold is exceeded. Thereby, residual stresses and distortion in the quenched aluminum castings can be predicted using the embodiments in a tiny fraction of the time required by conventional finite-element based approaches.

Abstract: Integrated devices and methods for compensating electric grade steel lamination stack height for use in a conventional two-plate high pressure die cast tool used for casting aluminum induction rotors. These devices and methods allow for significant variation in the lamination stack height without associated failures related to stack height variation, and also ensure constant and accurate clamping pressure on both the OD and ID of the steel lamination stack which prevents electric insulation damage, metal flow between laminations, large casting metal flash, and tool damage for excessive height laminations stacks. The clamping pressure is adjustable and is actuated from a single hydraulic cylinder which allows for a wide range of pressures to accommodate fine adjustment of clamping pressure to insure no damage occurs to the laminations.

Abstract: A quantitative metallographic method to measure skin layer thickness in high pressure die cast aluminum components. Because the faster-cooling skin layer region exhibits a higher volume fraction of eutectic phases than that of a slower-cooling inner region, measurements showing such higher eutectic phases can be used to quantify such layer thickness. An image at various thicknesses of a location of interest in a cast component sample is first obtained using an image analyzer, from which eutectic volume fractions within each of the received images may be determined. Comparisons of the determined volume fractions can be made against a known or predicted quantity for a particular alloy composition, and then correlated to the skin layer thickness via differences between the received or measured quantities and those of the known standard.

Abstract: A quantitative metallographic method to measure pore sizes and pore distributions in cast aluminum components. An image of a location of interest in a cast component sample is first obtained using an image analyzer. Spacing criteria, such as a measure of the secondary dendrite arm spacing, may be used with the received image to provide evidence of pore clustering. This allows the system to performing calculations to determine if multiple pores can be clustered or grouped together as a single pore in three-dimensional space. From this, the total area of the pores in each of these groups or clusters is calculated and used as a representation of the pore area for that cluster. In general, pore size and pore distribution measurements in cast components achieved by the present invention show accurate predictions of pore size and spacing, and in particular evidence a reduced tendency to under-predict the size and distribution of actual pores.

Abstract: Method and device for identifying a target object in an image are provided, which relate to the technology of image processing. The method includes: the points on the image are divided into a plurality of subsets according to areas and lines on an image; then the data matching on the data in each subset with the data of a target object which is stored in a database is conducted, so as to the target object corresponding to the data in the database is selected from the image; then the areas and lines corresponding to subsets which go beyond a set threshold are highlighted, therefore, the target object is highlighted, thereby the target object in the image is identified and highlighted.

Abstract: A method of computationally determining material property changes for a cast aluminum alloy component. Accuracy of the determination is achieved by taking into consideration material property changes over the projected service life of the component. In one form, the method includes accepting time-dependent temperature data and using that data in conjunction with one or more constitutive relationships to quantify the impact of various temperature regimes or conditions on the properties of heat-treatable components and alloys. Finite element nodal analyses may be used as part of the method to map the calculated material properties on a nodal basis, while a viscoplastic model may be used to determine precipitation hardening and softening effects as a way to simulate the time and temperature dependencies of the material. The combined approach may be used to determine the material properties over the expected service life of a cast component made from such material.

Abstract: Methods and technologies to maximize the aging response and the mechanical properties of aluminum alloys are provided. In one embodiment, the aging process for the slowly-quenched aluminum alloys includes, but is not limited to, at least a two-stage solution treatment and a two-stage aging hardening. In the solution treatment, the components are first heat treated at an initial solution treatment temperature and then gradually heated up to about 5° C. to about 30° C. above the initial solution treatment temperature for the material. For the aging treatment, the castings/components are first aged at a lower temperature followed by a higher temperature for the subsequent aging stages. The temperature increase during solution treatment and/or aging can be in steps, in a continuous manner, or combinations thereof. Another embodiment includes a two stage aging process in which there is a non-isothermal aging step.

Abstract: Integrated devices and methods for compensating electric grade steel lamination stack height for use in a conventional two-plate high pressure die cast tool used for casting aluminum induction rotors. These devices and methods allow for significant variation in the lamination stack height without associated failures related to stack height variation, and also ensure constant and accurate clamping pressure on both the OD and ID of the steel lamination stack which prevents electric insulation damage, metal flow between laminations, large casting metal flash, and tool damage for excessive height laminations stacks. The clamping pressure is adjustable and is actuated from a single hydraulic cylinder which allows for a wide range of pressures to accommodate fine adjustment of clamping pressure to insure no damage occurs to the laminations.