Aluminum casting parts are components produced through pressure casting, utilizing a pressure casting machine with molds in place. Molten aluminum or aluminum alloy is poured into the machine's feed opening, where it is then cast into the desired shape and size by the pressure casting process, constrained by the mold. Such parts are commonly referred to as aluminum pressure castings.
Aluminum castings are widely used, serving as auto accessories, various household items, and industrial machinery components. They are known by different names in different places, such as aluminum die-cast parts, die-cast aluminum parts, aluminum die-castings, die-cast aluminum pieces, and aluminum alloy die-castings.
Processing Steps for Aluminum Castings
(1) What is aging treatment? The method of heating the casting after solid solution treatment to a set temperature, allowing it to cool slowly in the air after a period of time, is called aging. If the aging strengthening is completed at room temperature, it is called natural aging. If the aging strengthening is completed in an environment higher than room temperature and kept warm for a period of time, it is called artificial aging. Aging treatment is a spontaneous process of decomposition of the supersaturated solid solution, which allows the lattice of the alloy matrix to return to a relatively stable state.
What is annealing treatment? It is a process where aluminum alloy castings are heated to around 300℃ and then kept at this temperature for a period before cooling down to room temperature. During annealing, the solid solution decomposes, phase particles aggregate, which can eliminate internal stress in the casting, maintain its size stability, prevent deformation, and enhance its plasticity.
What is solid solution treatment? It involves heating the casting to nearly the eutectic melting point, then maintaining that temperature for a period of time, followed by rapid cooling to allow for the full dissolution of the strengthening elements. Keeping this high-temperature state until room temperature, this process is known as solid solution treatment. Solid solution treatment enhances the strength and plasticity of the casting and improves the alloy's corrosion resistance. The effect of solid solution treatment is usually related to three aspects: the solid solution treatment temperature, the holding time at that temperature, and the cooling rate.
Due to the different shaping of aluminum castings, various cleaning methods are required. Using rotating equipment to drive flexible shafts into the internal casting holes for de-slagging treatment is suitable for situations where crucial castings cannot be vibrated or heated. The methods are roughly as follows:
1. Sandblasting treatment for cast aluminum parts.
2. Regarding the process of mechanical shot blasting.
3. About the cleaning of compressed air;
4. Aluminum castings are treated with liquid sandblasting machines.
5. Aluminum casting parts are sandblasted with pneumatic hammers for vibration cleaning. Core production using cast aluminum, which is easily broken down with slight vibration, can be achieved. For the cleaning of casting pipelines, copper tubes can be embedded instead of sand cores, and the pipelines can be immersed in a 40-50% nitric acid solution to remove impurities.