Abstract: A ladle, process, and system for casting an aluminum-based alloy includes a casting ladle. The casting ladle includes a cup and the cup defines an opening. The ladle also includes an ultrasonic transducer including an end immersed in the cup, wherein the cup exhibits a first depth and the ultrasonic transducer is immersed in the cup at a second depth in a range of 5 percent to 100 percent of the first depth. An aluminum-based alloy melt is introduced into an opening of a casting ladle, an ultrasonic transducer immersed in the aluminum-based alloy melt is activated, and the aluminum-based alloy melt is transferred onto a casting surface.

Abstract: A high heat-absorption casting core for manufacturing a cast component includes a core body. The core body has at least a portion thereof defined by metal powder. The metal powder is configured to absorb heat energy from the cast component during cooling of the component and solidification thereof. The core body may be additionally defined by a sand fraction in contact with the metal powder fraction. A system and a method for manufacturing a cast component using the high heat-absorption casting core are also envisioned.

Abstract: A cylinder head valve seat of an automobile vehicle includes a valve seat having a valve seat surface integrally joined to an engagement end. The engagement end includes multiple materials extending through a cross section of the engagement end. The multiple materials include: a first material having a first thermal conductivity; and a second material having a second thermal conductivity higher than the thermal conductivity of the first material, wherein the first material transitions into the second material.

Abstract: A cylinder head having a cast-in-place valve seat for an automobile vehicle includes a valve seat having an inner wall. At least one retaining feature integrally and homogeneously extends from the inner wall. The valve seat when positioned into a casting mold has the at least one retaining feature assisting in retaining the valve seat in the casting mold. A metal in a molten form is received in the casting mold. A cast component formed after cooling of the metal has the valve seat cast-in-place.

Abstract: An additive manufacturing method includes providing a first composite material and forming a composite part matrix using the first composite material and defining a first layer, applying a first fiber reinforcing material to the composite part matrix atop and in contact with the first layer of the composite part matrix such that fibers of the first fiber reinforcing material are oriented in a first direction and form a second layer on the composite part matrix, applying a second fiber reinforcing material to the composite part matrix atop and in contact with the first fiber reinforcing material such that fibers of the second fiber reinforcing material are oriented in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction and form a third layer on the composite part matrix, applying the first composite material to the composite part matrix, and curing the composite part matrix to create a composite product.

Abstract: A method of joining first and second parts formed of dissimilar materials is provided. The first part defines a first part contacting surface having a frustoconical shape. The first and second parts are brought into contact with one another, with one of the first and second parts being rotated while the other remains stationary, so as to generate frictional heat between the contacting surfaces of the parts, the generated frictional heat producing softened adjacent regions in the first and second parts. A force is applied to the first and second parts to plastically deform the softened adjacent regions and to forge together the first and second parts to form a solid-state joint. A composite torsional damper hub assembly includes a steel stem and a damper hub welded to the stem at an interface. The damper hub is formed of aluminum or an aluminum alloy, and the interface is generally frustoconical.

Abstract: A composite metal flexplate is disclosed that includes an aluminum center plate and a steel ring gear joined to the aluminum center plate by a solid-state joint. The solid-state joint that joins together the aluminum center plate and the steel ring gear may be formed by friction welding. During the friction welding process, a surface of an annular body of the steel ring gear is preheated, followed by bringing the preheated surface of the annular body into contact with a surface of a periphery of a circular body of the aluminum center plate. The two contacting surfaces are then caused to experience relative rotational contacting movement, which generates frictional heat therebetween and softens adjacent regions of the steel ring gear and the aluminum center plate. Once this occurs, an applied force is administered to compress and forge the contacting surfaces together, thereby establishing the solid-state joint.

Abstract: A damping cover for an integrated power electronics module (IPEM), the damping cover generally defined by a top side and a bottom side, wherein the bottom side is configured to mate adjacent with or contiguous to a power inverter module (PIM) of the IPEM. The damping cover can include an aluminum foam core including a top surface generally corresponding to the top side of the damping cover and a bottom surface generally corresponding to the bottom side of the damping cover and a polymeric over-molding or non-porous aluminum outer layer covering the top surface and/or a polymeric over-molding or non-porous aluminum outer layer covering the bottom surface. The bottom side of the damping cover can mate adjacent with or contiguous to the PIM. The polymeric material over-molding can completely impregnate the aluminum foam core. The aluminum foam core can have a density of about 0.15 g/cm3 to about 1.0 g/cm3.

Abstract: A method of forming an engine component includes providing a cylinder liner main body having a curved interior wall forming a cylinder bore extending along a bore axis and a curved exterior wall formed circumferentially about the curved interior wall. The method includes disposing a coating layer onto the interior wall and the exterior wall. A cylinder liner is provided that includes a main body and a coating layer disposed on an exterior wall and on an interior wall of the main body.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a cylinder block for an engine comprises providing a cylinder liner for the cylinder block and keeping the cylinder liner in a controlled atmosphere, removing the cylinder liner from the controlled atmosphere, removing moisture and gaseous contamination from the cylinder liner, and positioning the cylinder liner in a mold and over-casting a cylinder block in the mold.

Abstract: An apparatus for localized patterned surface hardening for light-weight alloys to increase wear resistance under lubricated contact is provided. The apparatus includes a first metallic structure and a second metallic structure. The second metallic structure includes a contact surface and is disposed in lubricated contact with the first metallic structure at the contact surface, wherein the second metallic structure is constructed with a lighter-than-steel material and wherein the contact surface includes a localized surface hardened pattern.

Abstract: A nodular iron alloy and automotive components, such as a crankshaft, are provided. The nodular iron alloy may include iron, about 2.2-3.2 wt % carbon, about 1.7-2.3 wt % silicon, about 0.2-0.6 wt % manganese, a maximum of 0.03 wt % phosphorus, a maximum of 0.02 wt % sulfur, about 0.2-0.6 wt % copper, about 0.1-0.4 wt % chromium, about 0.4-0.8 wt % nickel, about 0.15-0.45 wt % molybdenum, about 0.2-1.0 wt % cobalt, about 0.02-0.06 wt % magnesium, and a maximum of 0.002 wt % rare earth element(s). The nodular iron alloy may have a Young's modulus in the range of 175-195 GPa and an as-cast ultimate tensile strength in the range of 750-950 MPa. This alloy possesses favorable strength, stiffness and noise/vibration/harshness qualities, making it suitable in crankshaft applications. A method of forming the nodular iron alloy includes feeding a magnesium-based material into a molten iron alloy through a continuous system at a constant amount.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a crankshaft for an internal combustion engine with a plurality of journals having a hardened case with a first microstructure. The crankshaft is comprised of a steel comprising between about 0.3 wt % and 0.77 wt % Carbon. The first microstructure of the hardened case of the journals comprises between about 15% and 30% ferrite and a balance of martensite and the resultant subsurface residual stress between 310 MPa and 620 MPa.

Abstract: A method of forming an engine component includes providing a cylinder liner main body having a curved interior wall forming a cylinder bore extending along a bore axis and a curved exterior wall formed circumferentially about the curved interior wall. The method includes disposing a coating layer onto the interior wall and the exterior wall. A cylinder liner is provided that includes a main body and a coating layer disposed on an exterior wall and on an interior wall of the main body.

Abstract: A damping cover for an integrated power electronics module (IPEM), the damping cover generally defined by a top side and a bottom side, wherein the bottom side is configured to mate adjacent with or contiguous to a power inverter module (PIM) of the IPEM. The damping cover can include an aluminum foam core including a top surface generally corresponding to the top side of the damping cover and a bottom surface generally corresponding to the bottom side of the damping cover and a polymeric over-molding or non-porous aluminum outer layer covering the top surface and/or a polymeric over-molding or non-porous aluminum outer layer covering the bottom surface. The bottom side of the damping cover can mate adjacent with or contiguous to the PIM. The polymeric material over-molding can completely impregnate the aluminum foam core. The aluminum foam core can have a density of about 0.15 g/cm3 to about 1.0 g/cm3.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an aluminum alloy cylinder head includes providing a precision sand core and mold assembly, a liquid aluminum alloy delivery system, and a mold manipulator system. The precision sand core and mold assembly is disposed in the mold manipulator system and the liquid aluminum alloy delivery system includes an in-furnace ultrasonic actuator and a launder tube having at least an ultrasonic actuator. The liquid aluminum alloy delivery system is sealed to the precision sand core and mold assembly and provides liquid aluminum alloy into a gating system of the precision sand core and mold assembly. The precision sand core and mold assembly is rotated approximately 180°. The precision sand core and mold assembly is vibrated.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a crankshaft for an internal combustion engine with a plurality of journals having a hardened case with a first microstructure. The crankshaft is comprised of a steel comprising between about 0.3 wt % and 0.77 wt % Carbon. The first microstructure of the hardened case of the journals comprises between about 15% and 30% ferrite and a balance of martensite and the resultant subsurface residual stress between 310 MPa and 620 MPa.

Abstract: An additive manufacturing method includes providing a first composite material and forming a composite part matrix using the first composite material and defining a first layer, applying a first fiber reinforcing material to the composite part matrix atop and in contact with the first layer of the composite part matrix such that fibers of the first fiber reinforcing material are oriented in a first direction and form a second layer on the composite part matrix, applying a second fiber reinforcing material to the composite part matrix atop and in contact with the first fiber reinforcing material such that fibers of the second fiber reinforcing material are oriented in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction and form a third layer on the composite part matrix, applying the first composite material to the composite part matrix, and curing the composite part matrix to create a composite product.

Abstract: A wear-resistant component includes a substrate formed from a metal, defining a bore, and having a bore surface. The substrate includes a first region having a first microstructure adjacent the bore surface and a first average particle size. The substrate also includes a second region having a second microstructure adjacent the first microstructure and a second average particle size. The first average particle size is larger than the second average particle size. A system and a method of forming the wear-resistant coating are also described.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an aluminum alloy cylinder head includes providing a precision sand core and mold assembly, a liquid aluminum alloy delivery system, and a mold manipulator system. The precision sand core and mold assembly is disposed in the mold manipulator system and the liquid aluminum alloy delivery system includes an in-furnace ultrasonic actuator and a launder tube having at least an ultrasonic actuator. The liquid aluminum alloy delivery system is sealed to the precision sand core and mold assembly and provides liquid aluminum alloy into a gating system of the precision sand core and mold assembly. The precision sand core and mold assembly is rotated approximately 180°. The precision sand core and mold assembly is vibrated.