Mechanical Properties/High Ductility from Aluminum Permanent Mold Castings

The ability of aluminum castings to develop above-average levels of mechanical properties with high elongations is dependent on many factors. Alloy selection and casting quality are of utmost importance, but the method of casting is equally significant since the rate and pattern of solidification must be rapid and progressive if optimum results are to be obtained.

An experimental program was recently conducted to determine mechanical property capabilities of several high strength alloys when cast by the vacuum permanent mold process. The results of this program have shown: (1) typical elongations greater than 10% in combination with good tensile properties can be obtained with production castings, (2) the selected high strength alloys are capable of developing a broad range of outstanding mechanical properties depending on the thermal treatments used, and (3) results with the high strength alloys evaluated in this program illustrate that premium type properties can be obtained in routine production when parts are cast by the vacuum permanent mold process.