Process optimization for AZ91 Mg-alloy low-pressure EPC process

Abstract

The influence of a key process variable on the mold filling characteristics of AZ91 Mg-alloy was studied in the low pressure EPC process. The applied flow quantity of insert gas from 1 to 5 m³/h associated with the pressurizing rate in the low pressure EPC casting process was considered for rectangle and Lr shape plate casting. The experimental results show that there is an optimal flow quantity of insert gas for good mold filling characteristics in AZ91 Mg-alloy low-pressure EPC process. The optimal flow quantity of insert gas for the specimens is 3 to 4 m³/h. Either less or higher than the optimal flow quantity of insert gas would lead to misrun defects or folds, blisters and porosity defects. The practice of hub casting confirmed that the low-pressure EPC process with an optimal processing variable exemplified as 4 m³/h gas flow quantity was capable of producing complicated magnesium castings without misrun defects.

Keywords

magnesium alloy / low-pressure casting / expandable pattern casting / process optimization

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