The tool steel producer's contribution to successful die casting of structural components

摘要

Die cast structural components for the automotive industry gain more and more importance as they highly contribute to a weight reduction of cars and thus to a reduced fuel consumption as well as CO_2- emission. So today very often die cast aluminium A-, B- or C-pillar, shock towers, or door components replace traditional steel parts. These structural components are often characterised by large dimensions and complicated design. Die casting dies for structural components have to fulfil highest requirements with respect to toughness, high-temperature strength, and thermal fatigue resistance. Often the traditionally used hot-work tool steels like 1.2343 (AISI H 11), 1.2344 (H 13), or 1.2367 cannot fulfil these requirements. Kind & Co. has developed three special hot-work tool steels with significantly improved properties: TQ 1, HP 1, and HTR. The report will not only give a survey on the properties of these steels but also on practical experience gained with these grades. A proper heat treatment is essential for the performance of the dies. Kind & Co has recently set up one of the largest and most modern vacuum hardening furnaces in the world which focuses on these large die casting dies. The report will also show up the contribution of a modern heat treatment facility to an economic die casting process of high-class structural components.