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 method of simulating aluminum oxides defects in aluminum castings comprises determining the free surface area for a plurality of particles of aluminum in an aluminum melt, storing the free surface area for each particle of aluminum, tracking the free surface area change during mold filling, and calculating the total area of entrained or surface oxide films based on the free surface area change during mold filling. The method may further comprise a scalar variable method and a discrete particle method coupled together to simulate the aluminum oxide defects in aluminum castings.

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 method for forming a rotor assembly including a cast rotor frame includes positioning a preheated rotor core defining a plurality of passages in a mold cavity such that the mold cavity and the rotor core define the rotor frame including a plurality of conductor bars defined by the plurality of passages in fluid communication with first and second end portions of the mold cavity. Molten metal is quiescently introduced into the mold cavity through an ingate and simultaneously flowed through the plurality of passages prior to filling at least one of the first and second end portions of the mold cavity to form the cast rotor frame. Entrained air and impurities may be displaced from the passages by the flow of molten metal and vented or entrapped by a biscuit. The rotor frame and conductor bars thus formed may be characterized by high conductivity, negligible porosity, and minimal oxides.

Abstract: A fuel quality monitoring system includes a fuel composition sensor configured to provide an indication of a composition of a liquid fuel within a fuel tank, and a controller. The controller is configured to receive the indication of the monitored fuel composition from the fuel composition sensor; detect an amount of an impurity from the received indication; and compare the amount of the impurity to a threshold. If the amount of the impurity exceeds the threshold, the controller is configured to adjust an operating parameter of an engine to account for the detected impurity. When the amount of the impurity exceeds a threshold which makes engine combustion unmanageable, the fuel is restricted from entering the engine or fuel tank.

Abstract: A rotor includes a shorting ring defining a plurality of cavities therein, and a plurality of conductor bars each integral with the shorting ring and having an end disposed within a respective one of the plurality of cavities. The shorting ring and each of the conductor bars are formed from an aluminum alloy including a lanthanoid present in an amount of from about 0.1 part by weight to about 0.5 parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight of the aluminum alloy. An aluminum alloy, and a method of forming a rotor are also disclosed.

Abstract: A ladle that can melt and freeze castable metal in a specific manner so that high quality liquid metal and metal alloys may be produced with minimum oxide and hydrogen content. Upon introduction of a quantity of molten metal into the ladle, staged heating and cooling of the molten metal promotes the liberation of previously-dissolved gases from the castable metal, resulting in significant decreases in as-cast porosity.

Abstract: A method of making an aluminum piston is described. In one embodiment, the method includes placing a oil gallery core in a mold, the oil gallery core comprising a metal tube connected to a hollow inlet tube and a hollow outlet tube; introducing liquid aluminum into the mold around the oil gallery core; and allowing the liquid aluminum to solidify, the oil gallery core forming a channel in the piston. Aluminum pistons are also described.

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: Copper-free aluminum alloys suitable for high pressure die casting and capable of age-hardening under elevated temperatures are provided. The allow includes about 9.5-13 wt % silicon, about 0.2 to 0.6 wt % Magnesium, about 0.1 to 2 wt % iron, about 0.1 to 2 wt % manganese, about 0.1 to 1 wt % nickel, about 0.5 to 3 wt % zinc, and 0 to 0.1 wt % strontium, with a balance of aluminum. Methods for making high pressure die castings and castings manufactured from the alloy are also provided.

Abstract: Aluminum alloys having improved properties are provided. The alloy includes about 0 to 2 wt % rare earth elements, about 0.5 to about 14 wt % silicon, about 0.25 to about 2.0 wt % copper, about 0.1 to about 3.0 wt % nickel, approximately 0.1 to 1.0% iron, about 0.1 to about 2.0 wt % zinc, about 0.1 to about 1.0 wt % magnesium, 0 to about 1.0 wt % silver, about 0.01 to about 0.2 wt % strontium, 0 to about 1.0 wt % scandium, 0 to about 1.0 wt % manganese, 0 to about 0.5 wt % calcium, 0 to about 0.5 wt % germanium, 0 to about 0.5 wt % tin, 0 to about 0.5 wt % cobalt, 0 to about 0.2 wt % titanium, 0 to about 0.1 wt % boron, 0 to about 0.2 wt % zirconium, 0 to 0.5% yttrium, 0 to about 0.3 wt % cadmium, 0 to about 0.3 wt % chromium, 0 to about 0.5 wt % indium, and the balance aluminum. Methods of making cast aluminum parts are also described.

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: Methods of making squirrel cage rotors of aluminum based material end rings joined with high conductive and durable material (such as copper) conductor bars for use in electric motors. The methods include forming conductor bars by casting or other metal forming methods in the slots of laminate steel stack, or positioning the preformed or premade solid conductor bars in the longitudinal slots of the stacked laminated steel, with bar ends extending out of the laminated steel stack ends, optionally coating the extended part of the conductors (bars) with a latent exoergic coating containing Al and one or more conductor bar chemical elements, positioning the laminated steel stack having conductors (bars) in a casting mold that forms the cavity of both end rings of the rotor, filling the end ring cavities with aluminum melt, and allowing the end rings to solidify under pressure. Alternatively, the conductor bars and end rings can be made separately and mechanically joined together.

Abstract: A system for evaluating a manufacturability of a casting design. The system includes at least one of a geometry analyzer, a casting evaluation tool, a residual stress evaluation tool, and a machining evaluation tool. The geometry analyzer analyzes a geometric design of the casting design to determine its geometric design-ability, the casting evaluation tool evaluates the casting design to determine its cast-ability, the residual stress evaluation tool evaluates the casting design to determine its heat treat-ability, and the machining evaluation tool evaluates the casting design to determine a machine-ability of the casting design. If the casting design is determined as not geometrically design-able, not cast-able, not heat treat-able, or not machine-able by the geometry analyzer, the casting evaluation tool, the residual stress evaluation tool, or the machining evaluation tool, respectively, then modifications to the casting design are recommended to optimize the casting design for manufacturing.

Abstract: A plurality of conductor bars are positioned within slots of a laminated electric steel disc stack, and the ends of the conductor bars are brazed to end rings to manufacture a rotor. The method includes inserting the conductor bars into the slots of the disc stack, providing the end rings with slots for receiving the ends of the conductor bars; positioning spacers of braze material adjacent each end of each of the conductor bars to create a gap between the end rings and the steel disc stack; and applying heat to melt the braze material of the spacers whereby braze material is furnished by the spacers of braze material to braze the first and second ends of the conductor bars to the first and second end rings. Channels are provided in the face of the end rings facing the steel disc stack to drain away excess braze material.

Abstract: A method to predict a distribution of material properties of a cast component. In one form, the method includes accepting at least one of dendrite arm spacing data and porosity data that have been previously determined, as well as accepting casting geometry data and structural analysis geometric data, calculating material properties of the casting based on one or both of dendrite arm spacing data and porosity data at each of the various nodes within the casting FEA or FD mesh and mapping the calculated material properties to the various nodes of the finished part FEA mesh. The method may be used as a basis for conducting fatigue or a related durability analysis on the component.

Abstract: A method and system for optimizing a simulated casting of a light weight alloy component. The simulation includes passing component design data through various computational modules relating to casting designs, process modeling and optimization, material microstructure and defects and product performance. Variations in microstructure and defects across various very small size scales are extended to increasingly larger scales to permit structural performance calculations of the cast component to take such non-uniformities into consideration. At least some of the modules employ an expert system-based approach to achieve the optimized results. The results can be compared to end user needs to determine if redesign of the part geometry or manufacturing process is needed.

Abstract: A fuel quality monitoring system includes a fuel composition sensor configured to provide an indication of a composition of a liquid fuel within a fuel tank, and a controller. The controller is configured to receive the indication of the monitored fuel composition from the fuel composition sensor; detect an amount of an impurity from the received indication; and compare the amount of the impurity to a threshold. If the amount of the impurity exceeds the threshold, the controller is configured to adjust an operating parameter of an engine to account for the detected impurity. When the amount of the impurity exceeds a threshold which makes engine combustion unmanageable, the fuel is restricted from entering the engine or fuel tank.

Abstract: Methods of enhancing mechanical properties of aluminum alloy high pressure die castings are disclosed herein. An aluminum alloy composition forming a casting comprises, by weight of the composition, at least one of a magnesium concentration greater than about 0.2%, a copper concentration greater than about 1.5%, a silicon concentration greater than about 0.5%, and a zinc concentration greater than about 0.3%. After solidification, a casting is cooled to a quenching temperature between about 300° C. and about 500° C. Upon attainment of the quenching temperature, the casting is removed from the die and immediately quenched in a quench media. Following quenching, the casting is pre-aged at a reduced temperature between about room temperature and about 100° C. Thereafter, the casting is aged via at least one substantially isothermal aging at one or more elevated temperatures between about 150° C. and about 240° C.

Abstract: An aluminum alloy that can be cast into structural components wherein the alloy has reduced casting porosity, improved combination of mechanical properties including tensile strength, fatigue, ductility in the cast condition and in the heat treated condition.