Casting is generally done in order to get the exact specification of the real tool. There are different tools or machinery which need to be cast in some affordable yet great-featured metal or metal alloy to make it suitable for further use. Aluminum metal is used in the method because of its being cost-efficient and environmentally friendly. The lightweight aluminum makes it easy to transport from the manufacturer to the consumer, thus, making it cost-efficient. While, on the other hand, the recycling property of aluminum alloys, like if an aluminum alloy cast tool gets any cracks or holes then it can be resolved either by an expert mechanic or by someone who has experience in solving all the home malfunctioning. This fact makes the aluminum alloy environment-friendly with very less manufacturing waste.
In this article, we will look into aluminum alloy casting, what is it, cast alloys used in different industries, and why aluminum is chosen.
What is an aluminum alloy?
In aluminum alloy, aluminum is the most commonly used of all the metals available in alloy. The popularity is because of the dominant presence of aluminum metal among all metals. The other metals included in the alloy are nickel, tin, magnesium, copper, manganese, and zinc. Aluminum alloy is divided into two very significant classifications and those are, wrought alloy and casting alloy. Most of the aluminum is used to make wrought products only. They are very ductile and they are most appropriate for cold and hot forming processes. Wrought alloy is used for thin plates, rolled foils, wires, and many more.
Cast aluminum produces cost-efficient and eco-friendly products although it has very low tensile strength compared to wrought alloy.
Aluminum alloys are used in precise engineering structures, the automobile industry, aircraft, and cookery where corrosion-free and lightweight materials are required. The most important cast aluminum alloy that is used everywhere is Al-Si, it is because this alloy has a high level of silicon which helps in producing good casting materials.
Aluminum alloy casting
We will be noticing some cast alloying elements in this section of the discussion. These alloy elements or their nomenclature have been adopted by an association named The Aluminum Association short called AA. In this AA system, the second two digits show the least percentage of aluminum like 1.90* corresponds to a least of (100 – 1.90)% aluminum. The list is as follows:
- 99% of alloy has aluminum in it
- x of copper
- x of silicon with copper and magnesium for best casting
- x of silicon
- x of magnesium
- x of unused series.
- x of zinc
- x of tin
- x other elements
Aluminum Alloy used for casting
There are different alloys that we can discuss by their name. They are mentioned below:
● Aluminum alloy A356 – This is called the primary alloy because of its great wearability, ductility, huge tensile strength, and great castability medium strength. This alloy is used in making casting material in the automobile or aircraft industry. The composition of A356 , are as follows:
93% aluminum (AI)
7.00% silicon (Si)
0.35% Magnesium (Mg)
0.20% Iron (Fe)
0.20% copper (Cu)
0.10% manganese (Mn)
0.10% Zinc (Zn)
● Alloy A380 – This allows is mainly famous for the heat and thermal industry. It also does the best casting. It has excellent pressure tightness, fluidity, and resistance to hot cracking. This is best used in the aerospace industry.
● Alferium – These types of alloy are first introduced by Schneider and they are mostly used in the aircraft industry.
● Hindalium – The products here are formed from these alloys which are produced by Hindustan Aluminum Corporate Ltd. They are so ductile and have high strength that they can be rolled to thin wire and sheet. This alloy is used in making cookware for households.
● Magnox
● Magnalium
● Silumin
● Titanal – This alloy is produced by Austria Metal AG. They are commonly used in building sports products like skis and snowboarding.
Advantages of aluminum alloy casting
There are many reasons why aluminum alloy casting is better than any other alloy:
- Huge strength and weight ratio which makes it cost-efficient and mostly preferable metal
- The chemical stability of the alloy after having the maximum percentage of aluminum is also recommendable.
- Shine surface finish also saves time and money for final touchup..
- It is anti-corrosive and it also forms an oxide layer when exposed to the environment alone without mixing up with any other metals.
- It is also resistant to high temperatures.
- It also has an excellent electrical and thermal conductivity
- Aluminum is a bad conductor of electricity.
The main idea behind making aluminum alloy casting is aluminum itself is a fantastic metal, to take in the best self possible. The amalgamation of different greatly featured materials will help to increase the credibility of the alloy.
One can contact us at sunrise metal by telephone or just going to our website. Our site has the best metallurgist who will suggest the combination of alloys that will be helpful to you.
Summary
It is very important to keep in mind that aluminum is taken to form the alloy by mixing the best metals out there in small quantities with the aluminum present in excessive amounts. The introduction of aluminum has increased by 40% of the extraction of aluminum. The aluminum alloy casting process is a cost-effective and versatile method with a wide range of advantages. Around the industry mostly everything has been made up of aluminum, be it small window guards to making aircraft. The use and growth of aluminum have been flourishing all over the world.
Sunrise Metal is an aluminum die-casting manufacturer in China with high-end die-casting tools and technologies. We at Sunrise Metal adhere to our high-quality standards while providing the most cost-effective solution to the customer’s requirement.