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Surface Defects
Wall thickness and casting shape Very important Regarding surface defect problems
Thus a small variation in plunger speed (fill time) on a thin wall (say 2.0 mm ) casting is very noticeable for surface defects, while there would not be much noticeable for the same fill time variation in a thicker wall (i.e. 5.0 mm) aluminum casting
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Flow pattern can be simulated with computer programs and reviewed with short shots
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Hand held probe: accurate, but must stop the machine Thermocouple in die: continuous, but does not measure surface temperature Infra red: easy, but not as accurate
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A constant flow rate can help to eliminate the cold flow that seems to come and go without explanation
Adjustment valves should be easy to see, easy to use, and have large openings for good flow The water pressure at each machine should be consistent, and not vary
Many plants should have new piping installed
Hot oil units cool about half as effectively as water, so the thermal design must account for this to get the cycle times desired
Use higher flow rates, move lines closer, make larger, etc..
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Measure die temperature to know where to change and how much Establish temperature goals for minimum defects Increase die temperature in the defect area by: Reducing spray Reducing water flow rate Adding overflows Increase overall die temperature by: Reducing cycle time Increasing hot oil temperature and flow rate
Laminations
Laminations
Laminations have several sources Usually they are the result of metal flow conditions where one flow lays on the top of another, and the flows were too cold to mix as they came to rest This is shown in the next overhead
Laminations
Flow paths 1 and 2 meet, and are relatively thin layers at this point - they can be peeled away from the layer underneath (flow 3) by grit blasting, machining or similar activity
COLD FLOW LINE DIE SURFACE
FLOW 1
FLOW 2
FLOW 3
Laminations
The correction of these kinds of laminations is to correct the process conditions, which include:
Flow pattern (gating design) Gate location Gate velocity Fill time Die temperature Metal temperature
Laminations
These layers can come from the way the metal flows inside the casting, which may be due to the geometry of the casting In this case, the flow pattern can be difficult to change with gate modifications, so the important corrections would be:
Decrease fill time Increase die temperature Increase metal temperature if possible Changing gate velocity (either up or down) may also affect these kinds of laminations
Laminations
Generally changing fill time is the best It is very common that laminations are due to some metal being splashed into the cavity while the plunger is at slow speed; In this case the correction would be increase the length of fast shot (move the switch towards the pour hole) Laminations are also possible from a flexing die - when the intensifier comes in, the die may flex and another layer of metal could be added outside the initial casting skin - the correction is add support to the die
Laminations
Laminations can also come from oxide skins. These skins come from the holding furnace, or may be formed in the cold chamber during injection These will be random in location, and usually are fairly small, perhaps .08 (2mm) in size. When dislodged by machining or sanding, they can be mistaken for porosity The corrections are good metal handling, including:
Skimming the holding pot properly Keep the time in the cold chamber to a minimum Filtering Fluxing and degassing properly
Laminations
Another cause of laminations is flash captured in the casting This happens when the die is not cleaned properly, and the flash left on the die drops into the cavity as the die closes The incoming metal will not remelt the flash and cause it to mix with the rest of the casting; In fact, the molten metal may barely adhere to the flash This flash can make a very weak spot in the casting, causing cracks in addition to layers on or near the surface (laminations)
Laminations
The corrections include those activities that reduce flash, such as:
Cleaning the die between shots Not postponing die repairs Using good process design to select appropriate metal pressures Proper adjustment of intensifier settings Engineering the die cooling to keep die expansion as even as possible
Porosity
Porosity
Porosity is the biggest problem in die casting. The two basic types of porosity in die castings are:
Shrinkage Gas
It is critical that those who are responsible for solving defects determine the kind of porosity before trying to correct it Each kind takes a completely different corrective action, but they can look alike
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Porosity
It is important that some time be taken to review porosity before starting to make corrections A quick examination can be misleading Generally, a porosity defect should be examined under 5 to 10 power magnification
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Gas Porosity
Gas Porosity
Gas porosity is the biggest single problem in die casting The high gas content prevents heat treating or welding and makes the strength unpredictable
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Gas Porosity
There are three major sources of gas porosity for die castings:
Trapped air Steam Gas from lubricant
Gas porosity is round and generally smooth, although it can be flattened to some extent by pressure The actions to reduce gas porosity, in general, are not the same as the actions for reducing shrink porosity
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Gas Porosity
Starting with the shot sleeve, we will review potential sources of trapped air and possible corrections
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Gas Porosity
The first step is to maintain the same pour rate and shot delay time
Especially important if the fill % is below about 50%.
When the fill is less than 50%, a wave is generated by the pouring action
This wave travels back and forth from the parting line to the shot tip
The time at which the plunger tip starts to move and its speed and acceleration are designed so air is not trapped A surfing wave traps air
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Gas Porosity
If the wave is met by the tip as it moves forward, then extra splashing and sloshing is generated, and this captures some bubbles. However, if the tip is started forward just after the wave has been reflected from it, then the tip chases the wave, and this will give the best chance for minimizing air entrapment The timer that sets the time delay between the end of pour and the start of shot will determine when the tip starts forward in relationship to this wave
Gas Porosity
The next part of the sequence that can add trapped air (bubbles) and porosity is the acceleration of the plunger to the slow shot speed This acceleration rate should be slow enough to keep the metal from tumbling over (surfing), and fast enough to prevent trapped air between the generated wave and waves reflected from the die This acceleration rate will vary with the percent fill and the length of the sleeve, but the usual range will be between 2 and 2.8 inches per second per inch of travel
Gas Porosity
The optimum acceleration profile can be closely approximated by a straight line (linear acceleration) when the sleeve fill is below about 50% (which is where most of the problems occur) Above about 50% fill, the optimum acceleration trace will be more of a curve Using these methods, the acceleration will normally cause the plunger to reach the critical slow shot speed 1 or 2 inches before sleeve full This is very close to the start of fast shot, so there is little time to spend at the slow shot speed The trace shown on the next page is for a fill percentage less than 50%
Gas Porosity
30 25 Plunger Velocity (in/sec) 20 15 10 5 0 0 1 2 3 4 5 P l u6 nger P7 o s i t i o n 8( i n ) 9 10 11 12 13 14
OPTIMUM
Optimum acceleration profile with a 32% full sleeve, (3 in. sleeve, 20 in. length, 400 ton cold chamber machine) Note that the straight line closely approximates the optimum profile
Gas Porosity
Typical overall shot profile at 32% fill, using linear acceleration. 400 ton cold chamber machine
Gas Porosity
The next phase of the shot profile will be the critical slow shot speed - this will be the speed that minimizes the trapped air during the slow shot phase. This speed is calculated from the formula:
Css = k x [(100 - %fill)/100 ] x tip dia
Where k = 22.8 for ips (inch system) This speed will minimize the air trapped in this portion of the shot
Gas Porosity
The following settings should be considered important when trying to reduce air trapped in the shot sleeve. While one of these settings may not seem to be important by itself, there are interactions and its recommended they be repeated as close as possible once a good setting is found
Pour rate Delay time before shot Pour hole speed Change over point from pour hole speed to slow shot speed Slow shot acceleration Slow shot speed Fast shot start point
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Gas Porosity
The next location of trapped air is likely to be in the runners. Any sharp corners or small to large area changes in the metal flow path in the runner system will cause air entrapment The main rule is that the runner has smooth, rounded corners, that it has ever decreasing area from the plunger to the gate
CASTING
VERY POOR RUNNER DESIGN, SWIRLS TRAP AIR AND GENERATE GAS POROSITY
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Gas Porosity
Effect of short ejector pins
RUNNER
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Gas Porosity
Once the metal starts to enter the cavity, it will normally flow at a high velocity, very turbulent flow condition, and will trap some of the air present as gas porosity The flow pattern design should be such that the metal tends to push the air through the cavity to the vents Much of the air in the shot sleeve and the cavity can be pushed out the vents or the vacuum system Vents must be sized correctly and go to the edge of the die if they are to be effective Vents must be kept clean of flash & lubricant buildup
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Gas Porosity
To summarize, the control of trapped air porosity will involve a check list like the following: Plunger control settings
Pour rate Delay before shooting Pour hole speed Start slow shot point Slow shot speed Fast shot start point
Runner area
Cavity
No square corners No low or high ejector pins Decreasing runner area in the metal flow path Vent location at last place to fill Vents sized right and go to edge of die Vents to be kept clean
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Gas Porosity
Steam is the second source of gas porosity Steam comes from water on the cavity surface when the metal arrives This gas is mostly trapped in the metal because there is little chance to push the gas out the vents - the gas is not present until the metal arrives, and so is mixed with the turbulent metal flow as soon as it is generated
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Gas Porosity
The water is mostly from the die spray but it can also be from other sources Some of the water will evaporate from a hot die, but you cannot count on this happening Therefore, it is critical that the die be dry when it is closed Other sources of water on the die: Leaking water lines Dripping overhead sprayers Leaking hydraulic cylinders
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Gas Porosity
Steam porosity tends to be either a few large large bubbles or a group of smaller bubbles If it is from a water line leak, the bubbles may always congregate in about the same location
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Gas Porosity
Checklist to reduce gas porosity from steam:
To much water based die lubricants on the die (the die must be dry as it closes) Leaking water lines Leaking water pipe connections Crack in the die into a water line Sprayer dripping on the die as it closes Water glycol hydraulic fluid getting on the die
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Gas Porosity
The third source of gas porosity is lubricant The lubricant used on the dies or on the plunger can generate gas when heated by the incoming metal This gas (like the steam) is only formed when the metal arrives, and so it is not possible to force most of the gas out the vents ahead of the metal flow All lubricants give off some gas when heated to the temperature of the molten metal - the amount and type of gas will vary from lubricant to lubricant
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Gas Porosity
The biggest single lubricant source of gas porosity is the plunger lubricant The usual problem is that the lubricant is applied ahead of the plunger much heavier than is needed This is especially true when a dragging or worn tip is nursed along with extra lubricant
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Gas Porosity
Check list of actions for gas porosity from lubricants:
Check the amount of plunger lubricant Reduce the die spray lubricant Look for pockets where the lubricant can accumulate on a cold die
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Blisters
Blisters
Blisters are another version of gas porosity, the gas just happens to be near the surface of the casting. The trapped gas is under high pressure at the end of fill and the metal may shrink and squeeze it more. When the casting is taken out of the die, and the die surface is no longer there to hold the casting shape, pressure from the trapped gas is able to push up a blister.
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Blisters
The same corrections used for gas porosity apply to blisters:
Reduce trapped air Reduce spray and plunger lubricant Eliminate water on the die Correct venting and vacuum problems
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Blisters
Blisters should be eliminated by correcting the gas porosity problem. However, you can:
Cool the die in the immediate area where the blisters occur
Cool the blister area with die spray Cool the blister area by adjusting water lines Cool the whole die by slowing the cycle time
Cool the casting immediately after ejection by quenching in water (this will keep the skin strong and resist blister formation)
Shrinkage Porosity
Shrink Porosity
Shrinkage develops because the metal occupies less space when solid than it did when it was liquid. For die casting alloys, the difference in volume will be about 6% to 8% This extra space will be concentrated at the last point to solidify, which is the hottest spot in that section of the casting
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Shrink Porosity
Since the location of shrink porosity is also the hottest spot in that section of the casting, it is usually in the center of a heavy section This hot spot location can be controlled to some extent by die temperature The hot spot can often be moved by changing the die temperature, therefore the shrinkage porosity can be moved
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Shrink Porosity
An even casting temperature will cause the porosity to spread out, and to be roughly on the center line (the last point to solidify)
WARM
centerline porosity
WARM
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Shrink Porosity
If there is a large temperature difference, then there will be large porosity at the last point to solidify
HOT
COLD
The spray and the water line keep one end of the casting cold, the gate keeps the other end hot, and the shrink porosity will tend to be at the hot end
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Shrink Porosity
If the hot and cold spot can be reversed, then the shrink porosity will follow the hot spot. Shrink porosity will always be in a hot spot in the casting
COLD
HOT
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Shrink Porosity
Note that the temperatures that effect the location of shrink porosity are inside the casting itself The die temperatures will influence the internal casting temperature, but they are not always effective in controlling it completely Shrink porosity in a heavy section will be harder to move, shrink porosity in a thin section will be relatively easy to move
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Shrink Porosity
Shrink porosity is rough and irregular in shape and this characteristic is the quickest and easiest way to identify shrink porosity The shape and appearance of the porosity comes from the way the casting solidifies
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Shrink Porosity
The first metal to contact the die surface freezes quickly and forms the skin The skin is a very strong, dense, and fine grained surface with very low porosity, due to the rapid solidification/freeze rate Once the skin has formed, the rate slows down and a dendritic structure starts to appear
SKIN FORMS
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Shrink Porosity
Dendrites are tree like structures that form in the solidifying liquid The dendrites grow slowly, and by the time the last metal solidifies, there will be a lot of dendrites in this area
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Shrink Porosity
It will be difficult to identify shrink porosity in some castings, and without identifying it you may very well take the wrong action for correction thus the identification is a key factor. You should know that the walls of shrink porosity have a characteristically rough structure The shrink porosity is usually crack like in appearance, and is jagged, rough and irregular in general Occasionally it can have a rounded and smooth appearance, when this happens it is sometimes called worm holes
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Shrink Porosity
Shrink Porosity
To summarize on the effect of temperature - it will move the porosity or spread it out - not necessarily reduce it - controlling porosity with die temperature is possible only on some castings The shrink porosity location is determined by the temperature difference between areas in the casting - the hot and the cold spots determine the location of the porosity Watch temperature difference between die halves Remember, you can heat up the cold spot as well as cool the hot spot
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Shrink Porosity
Shrink porosity can be reduced with metal pressure Die casting is a high pressure process and the only reason die casting machines use high pressure is to reduce shrink porosity The pressure can fill some of the voids as they develop, but timing and temperature are critical and very hard to control
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Shrink Porosity
The intensifier systems used with die casting machines are there only to add pressure during solidification and thus to reduce shrink porosity Timing is critical because: the porosity is not there when the metal is liquid, so pressure at that time doesnt help (it will only add to flashing) After the casting is solid, the pressure obviously will not help Therefore, the only time pressure can be used to feed more metal into the developing porosity holes is during solidification
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Shrink Porosity
The most common die casting alloys have a freezing range - which means they go through a mushy stage as they solidify It is during this mushy stage that we can add pressure and reduce shrinkage porosity by filling some voids as they are forming Some typical freezing ranges for the most common die casting alloys would be as follows:
380 aluminum 384 aluminum 413 aluminum 45oC 65oC 8oC
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Shrink Porosity
Using pressure to fill the emerging shrinkage voids during this mushy stage is a key factor in controlling shrinkage porosity. Several key control elements important in the use of pressure are:
The casting configuration, especially between the gate and the point of interest (most important factor) The amount of metal pressure available at the end of the plunger stroke - the packing pressure Solid The intensified metal pressure The die temperature Mushy Zone The gate freeze time Liquid The injection temperature
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Shrink Porosity
Typical values for minimum pressures would be:
ALUMINUM Static 3,000 psi 20 MPa Intensified 8,000 psi 55 MPa
These should be regarded as minimum for good casting quality internally - lower pressures are sometimes used when the internal quality is not that critical For heavier section castings, some die casters use 10,000 psi (70 MPa) as the minimum intensifier pressure
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Shrink Porosity
Another operational factor is biscuit size Cavity pressure decreases very rapidly once the biscuit reaches a certain minimum size This minimum varies with the size of the shot sleeve, the metal temperature, the fill time and other factors Below this minimum, the internal soundness of the casting will deteriorate very rapidly
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Shrink Porosity
D EN S IT Y V S B IS C U IT T H IC K N ES S
1 DENSITY 0 .8 0 .6 0 .4 0 .2 0 0.1 0.3 0.5 0.7 0.9 1.1 B IS C U IT T H IC K N ES S 1.3 A P P R O X IM A T E D E N S IT Y , PER C EN T
APPROXIMATE
Shrink Porosity
Corrective actions for shrink porosity
Check the process design for appropriate metal pressure, both static pressure and intensified pressure (plunger size, pressure settings) Check plunger tip and sleeve condition Check biscuit thickness for consistency and the appropriate value
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Shrink Porosity
Other considerations
If possible, move the gate close to the problem area to feed metal during solidification phase Use squeeze pins to add pressure on the casting after the gate is frozen
These pins are usually activated from 2 to 12 seconds after the end of fill - the casting conditions must be the same from shot to shot to make them effective, (something many die casters cannot do because they dont control the process adequately) The squeeze pins are also effective on leaker problems, (leakers will be discussed later)
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Shrink Porosity
Hot chamber machines have similar problems, mostly they have metal leaking by the plunger - this causes low pressure at the end of the shot and lack of pressure just when you need it Trying to run too close to machine capacity in hot chamber machines can cause low pressure at the end of the stroke Shrink porosity can occur at the gate because this tends to be a local hot spot porosity in this location should respond to better pressure management (temperature control also)
Sinks
Sinks
Sinks (surface depressions) are a form of shrink porosity A sink forms when the shrink porosity is close to the surface, and as it cools it pulls the thin skin on the die surface in towards itself The shrink porosity is close to the surface because the surface of the casting is the hottest point in that area of the casting
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Sinks
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Sinks
The shrink porosity is formed in the location shown when the casting is first made. As the casting is run longer and longer, the die temperature gets hotter and hotter in the areas marked hot
COLD
POROSITY
HOT
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Sinks
It is typical to have a section that is heavy enough so the gate is frozen before the area with the shrink porosity has solidified (so the shrink porosity cannot be fed from the gate as it solidifies) The three hot areas shown in the last diagram cause the shrink porosity to gradually move down towards the flat surface - the flat surface will likely get hotter than any other area
TH E H EAT FLO W FLU X ARROW S HAVE LOTS OF ROOM , AND M OVE H EA T O UT FAST, SO TH E CO RN ER STAY S VERY COLD TH E H EA T FLUX ARROW S CROW D TOGETHER HERE AND THE HEAT CANNOT ESC APE FAST, SO TH E CORNER GETS VERY HOT
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Sinks
The flat surface gets very hot also, then the hot spot gradually moves very close to the surface As the shrinkage porosity starts to contract, it pulls the skin away from the surface As soon as the skin is pulled away from the surface, heat flow is blocked to the die which makes the conditions worse
SHRINK POROSITY CASTING SKIN
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Sinks
Eventually, the casting solidifies with the sink in the surface The clue that the spot is getting hot and that a sink might form is when the surface of the casting starts to get rough (or frosty in appearance) The operator should notice this condition, and start to spray and/or adjust cooling line flow What is needed is a change in temperature balance between the hot and cold areas
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Leakers
Leakers
Leakers are another form of shrinkage problems There may not be any large voids, in fact there may not be any visible porosity All that is needed is a continuous path and enough space for gas or liquid to get through
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Leakers
This size of the space between dendrites depends on the temperature differences that existed at the time of freezing and the ability to feed new metal in during freezing The center of the casting, or the last point to solidify will have a loose dendritic structure that is porous The skin, however, is not porous - thus most casting would allow at least a little gas to pass through if it were not for the dense non-porous skin
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Leakers
It takes a break in the skin (usually on both sides of the casting) to generate a leak through the wall A typical situation is shown below
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Leakers
One way that a break occurs is when the last point to solidify is on the surface. When this happens, the surface generally has the rougher or frosty appearance, and the dendritic structure is close to the surface Another way is to expose a break by machining off some of the surface
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Leakers
The break in the surface often is from a machining action on one side and a shape condition on the other so that a hot spot is generated on the surface
HOT SPOTS DUE TO SHAPE OF THE CASTING
LEAK PATH
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Leakers
The first correction should be to try to minimize the temperature problem on the surface This can be done (sometimes) by running this area cooler in the die; changing spray patterns, changing or adding a water line; changing to one of the high heat transfer die materials The temperature difference between die halves is something to look out for (not over 100 deg f max) Remember that heating up a cold section can also help restore thermal balance
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Leakers
Adding radius where possible around the leaker area is a good idea, but can only help so much - adding more than about a .18 to .32 inch (4 to 8 mm) radius does not help much Adding pressure in that area can help squeeze pins can work well; Moving a feeder gate near the leaker area can help if the pressure is managed correctly
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Leakers
Also check the metal temperature - a lower injection temperature may make a little difference, but it may also cause other problems It is best to give every opportunity for a good skin to develop in the area where the leaker appears, be sure the die surface in this area is very smooth and clean.
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Cracks
Cracks
Cracks, or tears, or hot cracks have many causes, but usually are at least partially caused by shrinkage cracks on the surface Most often, the casting is stretched in the die as it cools because the die doesnt change dimensions while the casting is cooling and contracting. The stretching causes cracks at the weak point (the last point to solidify)
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Cracks
Shrinkage cracks on the surface occur during solidification, and have a dark surface - cool the corners or heat up the adjacent areas, add radii to the corners for this type of crack For castings that crack while cooling in the die, the crack will also be at a hot spot increase radii
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Cracks
Mechanical stress can cause cracks when the die opens or the casting ejects (or during slide operations) Cracks at the base of long cores or fins, dragging or sticking of projections into one die half may indicate die shift when the dies separate The factors in die alignment should be checked, such as: die droop (no die carrier), worn guide pins, worn linkage, worn tie bar bushings, worn shoes under the moving platen, uneven tie bar stress, etc.
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Cracks
The cracks at ejection are usually accompanied by drag marks of some sort. Check the ejector plate for worn bushings, be sure the ejector plate operates straight. Look for undercuts from erosion in the die that cause the casting to hang up
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Inclusions
Inclusions
What are Inclusions/Nonmetallic Inclusions a) Particles of foreign material in a metal matrix; b) any nonmetal material in the die casting alloy. Usually oxides, refractory particles, and sludge, but can be any material foreign to, and essentially insoluble in, the metal matrix.
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Inclusions
Inclusions are mostly a problem in aluminum die casting, but there are issues in zinc and magnesium also Can cause quality issues Strength Hard spots Flow issues The most prevalent type of inclusions are oxides
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Oxide Inclusions
The cast alloy is shiny, as evidenced by a casting that has been machined or a furnace that has been just skimmed The gray surface on castings or on the surface of the liquid metal is oxide. This oxide layer on a casting can be very thin from a few microns thick to a few thousands
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Oxide Inclusions
Oxides in the furnace can not be totally eliminated Aluminum we use is recycled, has had a lot of exposure to air and has generated oxide Oxygen is picked-up during metal melting and handling Once formed in the furnace, the oxide particles or skins remain
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Oxide Inclusions
Aluminum, zinc, and magnesium oxidize to form dross When aluminum oxide is first formed
Fairly soft Less dense than the molten metal Gamma Al2O3, dross
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Oxide Inclusions
Exposed to 1800oF (1000oC) or higher in the presence of more oxygen gamma aluminum oxide transforms to very hard more dense phase
Alpha Al2O3, corundum Next to diamond on the Mohs scale Grinding wheel material
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Oxide Inclusions
Corundum can form in the melting or holding furnaces in most plants The oxides stick to the wall and are scraped off in the cleaning procedures
HOT CORNER
Oxidesformathotcorners
AL ALLOY - 1350
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Oxide Inclusions
Oxide Inclusions
Oxide Inclusions
Oxide Inclusions
Refractory Particles
Furnace refractory particles come off the wall during furnace cleaning
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Refractory Particles
Typical forms: brick, mortar, castable, crucible Some common refractory materials
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Refractory Particles
Sludge
Intermetallic compounds whose formation is composition and temperature dependent Factors contributing to sludging
Metallic impurities Some alloying elements Low holding temperatures Swings in temperature
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Sludge
Fe (iron), Mn (manganese) and Cr (chromium) can form sludge in aluminum alloys if the concentration is high enough
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Sludge
Aluminum sludge factor
Fe + 2Mn + 3Cr 3Fe + 2Cr + 3Mn
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Sludge
Sludge
Excess Flux
Fluxes are used for various functions
Cover fluxes protect the melt from oxidation Wall-cleaning fluxes react with wall build-up Degassing fluxes remove hydrogen Drossing or cleaning fluxes assist in partial removal of oxides and reduction/recovery of metal from dross Refining fluxes may modify, grain refine, or remove specific metallic impurities
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Excess Flux
Flux inclusion
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Excess Flux
Control of Inclusions
What we dont want!
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Inclusions
To control dross
Minimize exposure to air and metal temp Use proper drossing procedures Allow enough time after disturbing molten metal bath
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Inclusions
To control corundum
Minimize formation of Al dross Dont use higher than necessary metal temperature Allow at least 30 minutes after furnace cleaning for settling of particles
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Inclusions
To control refractory particles and sludge
Use proper furnace cleaning procedures Control furnace temperature Stay below sludge factor of 1.8 Allow at least 30 minutes after furnace cleaning for settling of particles
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Inclusions
Oxides can be removed by filtering, fluxing, or by de-gassing the liquid metal Refractory particles, sludge, intermetallics can be removed by filtering
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Solder
Soldering
Soldering phenomenon occurs when the molten aluminum enters the die and contacts directly on steel die cavity The molten aluminum stream removes the applied surface lubricant film and the iron oxide layer or other coatings then erodes grain boundaries and pits the die surface At a high enough temperature and pressure a reaction takes place that causes the formation of an aluminum-iron intermetallic and a direct fusion between the die and the casting
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Soldering
Keep the gate velocity to a minimum, calculate the gate velocity to stay below about 1600 ips (40 m/s) in aluminum, 2500 ips in zinc (60 m/s), and about 3000 ips (75 m/s) in magnesium - this is to avoid washing the coating off the steel Zinc alloys tend to solder in areas away from the main metal flow The zinc alloys do not form a compound with the die steel on the surface of the die (see build up), but build a layer on top of the steel Die temperature is most important to keep this type of zinc solder from forming
Soldering
Surface roughness is also important, a polished die surface will reduce the tendency to form the die solder in zinc (it is probably better called a build up) Keeping the die temperature is most important to keep this type of zinc solder from forming Draft angle is also important, especially if the die temperature cannot be controlled
Soldering
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Soldering
The best solution is keeping the die steel cool solder will not start then Cooling methods include die spray, adding water channels, slowing the cycle speed, and reducing metal temperature. Also consider other die materials
Anvilloy Bi-metallic cores Niobium
Other solutions
Draft angle add to die Gate velocity keep low Die surface roughness keep smooth
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Build Up
A die build up usually comes from lubricant that was not evaporated from the die If it is darker in color, it is often referred to as carbon Review the die temperatures with the die spray supplier to get the proper lubricant - keep ratio under control Use of hard water in the die lubricant can sometimes cause build up
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Build Up
Review the die temperatures with the die spray supplier to get the proper lubricant Keep die spray dilution ratio under control Dont spray too long Be consistent
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Erosion
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Aluminum, 1000 to 1600 ips (25-40 m/s) Zinc, 1200 to 2000 ips (30-50 m/s) Magnesium, 1200 to 3000 ips (30-75 m/s)
Die temperature is next most important, and should be kept as low as possible Additional factors include the metal temperature, the inclusions in the metal, the type of alloy, proper gate design and flow pattern
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Outgassing
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This hot spot increases the amount of shrink porosity formed at the gate which contributes to outgassing problems
Bending, Warping
Bending - Warping
Bent and warped castings have many different causes, starting with design, die build, machine conditions, and operating conditions Once the design is set, the major operating factor is that the casting and the die always be at the same temperature when the casting is ejected The use of a thermocouple to eject the casting at the same temperature every time is a valuable aid to precise dimensional control
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Bending - Warping
The die and the machine must be maintained in good condition to minimize bending and warping
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Flash
Flash
Flash occurs when liquid metal flows into an area of the die where it is not expected, such as the parting line, under a slide, or along side an ejector pin
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Flash
Flash can be almost eliminated if proper attention is applied to tool design and operational factors A robust die is required, there can be no die deflection Good thermal balance is required so the die fits well at operating temperature The machine locking conditions must be proper; such as equal load on the tie bars, proper die set up, linkage not worn, platens flat, etc Metal pressures and impact force should be no more than necessary
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Flash
Flashing can occur for one of three reasons:
1. The die seal-off is poor. 2. The die and machine do not work together to seal off the mold cavity. 3. The impact force at the end of the cavity fill exceeds the clamping force of the machine.
To understand the reason why flashing occurs, you must understand the condition of the machine, the tool, and the forces occurring within the machine at the end of cavity fill.
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Flash
Determining the root cause of a flashing problem is sometimes quite complex. As an operator, you need to observe the die:
If the casting flashes in exactly the same way every shot, then the tool or machine is likely the problem. If the flash pattern around the cavity changes drastically, especially as a die heats up during startup, then it indicates two possible causes:
The impact force is exceeding the clamping force of the machine. Thermal expansion within the tool is allowing metal to escape the die cavity.
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Flash Summary
The two keys to minimizing flashing are:
Die design. Machine maintenance.
Die design.
Die squareness. Thermal design. Die seal-off. Centering the part within the die. Wear plate and lock design.
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Stained Castings
Stained Castings
Dark gray or black discoloration Almost always involves die or plunger lube Typically, too much lube has been applied Check: Amount of lube being applied Dilution ratio Application procedure Other sources dirt scrap
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Drags
Drags
Looks similar to solder, but is caused by the die dragging on the part during ejection Check:
Draft angles Ejection problem, such as bending Erosion that may have caused an undercut Distorted, mushroomed cores Flash on slides Die temperature
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Cold Flakes
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