Metallurgical evaluation of SRAM II/SRAM A programmer base plates.

摘要

Ten MC4073/4369 programmer base plates were analyzed. This component, a programmer base plate for the SRAM II (and later the SRAM A), is specified as a Grade C quality casting made of aluminum Alloy A356, heat treated to the T6 condition. A concern was expressed regarding the choice of an A356 casting for this application, given the complexity and severity of the loading environment. Preliminary tests and analyses suggested that the design was adequate, but noted the uncertainty involved in a number of their underlying assumptions. The uncertainty was compounded by the discovery that the casting used in the original series of mechanical tests failed. In this investigation, several production castings were examined and found to be of a quality superior to that required under current specifications. Their defect content and microstructure were studied and compared with published data to establish a mechanical property data base. The data base was supplemented with a series of X-direction static tests, which characterized the loading environment and measured the overall casting performance. It was found that the mechanical properties of the supplied castings were adequate for the anticipated X-direction loading environment, but the component is not over-designed. The established data base further indicates that a reduction in casting quality to the allowable level could result in failure of the component. Recommendations were made including (1) change the component specification to require higher casting quality in highly stressed areas, (2) supplement the inspection procedures to ensure adequate quality in critical regions, (3) alter the component design to reduce the stress levels in the mounting feet, (4) substitute a modified A356 alloy to improve the mechanical properties and their consistency, and (5) more thoroughly establish a data base for the mechanical property consequences of levels and configurations of casting defects.