Semi-solid metal casting process
A method of semi-solid metal casting without the need for retrofitting of conventional casting equipment is provided. A method of direct-feed casting of semi-solid metals is also provided.
1 . A semi-solid metal (SSM) casting process, comprising:
providing a metal and a vertical die casting machine,
heating the metal to a chosen temperature,
cooling the metal for a determined period of time to form a semi-solid metal, wherein the time can be zero; and
casting the semi-solid metal in the vertical die casting machine.
2 . An SSM casting process according to claim 1 , wherein the metal is an Al—Si alloy.
3 . An SSM casting process according to claim 2 , wherein Al—Si alloy is a hypereutectic Al—Si alloy comprising more than about 11.7 weight percent Si in Al.
4 . An SSM casting process according to claim 2 , wherein Al—Si alloy is a hypoeutectic Al—Si alloy comprising less than about 11.7 weight percent Si in Al.
5 . An SSM casting process according to claim 2 , wherein Al—Si alloy is a 380 alloy.
6 . An SSM casting process according to claim 1 , wherein the vertical die casting machine is an indexing type vertical die casting machine.
7 . An SSM casting process according to claim 5 , wherein the vertical die casting machine is a 1000 Ton Shuttle Machine.
8 . An SSM casting process according to claim 2 , wherein the vertical die casting machine is an indexing type vertical die casting machine comprising a shot sleeve that indexes between a pour station and a transfer station requiring an indexing time.
9 . An SSM casting process according to claim 5 , wherein the temperature of metal is chosen such that the metal will form a semi-solid metal as it cools from indexing between the pour station to the transfer station..
10 . An SSM casting process according to claim 8 , wherein the indexing time is chosen to achieve a determined rate of cooling.
11 . A means for SSM casting, comprising:
providing a metal and a vertical die casting means,
heating the metal to a chosen temperature,
cooling the metal for a determined period of time to form a semi-solid metal, wherein the time can be zero; and
casting the semi-solid metal.
12 . A means for SSM casting according to claim 11 , wherein the metal is an Al—Si alloy.
13 . An A means for SSM casting according to claim 11 , wherein the vertical die casting means is an indexing type vertical die casting means.
14 . A means for SSM casting according to claim 13 , wherein the vertical die casting means is a 1000 Ton Shuttle Machine.
15 . A means for SSM casting according to claim 11 , wherein Al—Si alloy is a hypereutectic Al—Si alloy comprising more than about 11.7 weight percent Si in Al.
16 . A means for SSM casting according to claim 11 , wherein Al—Si alloy is a hypoeutectic Al—Si alloy comprising less than about 11.7 weight percent Si in Al.
17 . A means for SSM casting according to claim 11 , wherein Al—Si alloy is a 380 alloy.
18 . A means for SSM casting according to claim 11 , wherein the vertical die casting machine is an indexing type vertical die casting machine comprising a shot sleeve that indexes between a pour station and a transfer station requiring an indexing time.
19 . A means for SSM casting according to claim 11 , wherein the temperature of metal is chosen such that the metal will form a semi-solid metal as it cools from indexing between the pour station to the transfer station.
20 . A means for SSM casting according to claim 11 , wherein the chosen temperature is above the liquidus temperature of the metal.