High Pressure Die Casting Applications in Magnesium - Advancements in Alloy Development and Casting Technology

摘要

The magnesium die casting market has experienced an average annual growth of about 10 % for the last decades, and there is a trend for a continuation of this growth. Intensive alloy development programs and technological improvements in the die casting process have made this growth possible. The driving force for the growth has been the automotive industry. With an apparently never ending weight increase on vehicles caused by a request for driving comfort, the automotive industry fights to meet the need for weight reduction and fuel economy. A series of new critical applications of magnesium die castings for automotive use have therefore emerged. These include crash sensitive parts, engine parts and load bearing suspension parts. A prerequisite for such developments is the availability of new alloys tailor- made for specific applications. Furthermore, increased technological knowledge of the die casting process combined with improved computer simulation tools has rendered possible a better prediction of component performance. At last but not least, die casting equipment suppliers and suppliers of enabling technologies have contributed by developing magnesium specific solutions to the technical challenges encountered. The current presentation focuses on recent accomplishments within alloy development and advancements in high pressure die casting technology in Hydro Magnesium.