Ultra-large aluminum shape casting: Opportunities and challenges
Year: 2024
Type: article
Abstract: Ultra-large aluminum shape castings have been increasingly used in automotive vehicles, particularly in electric vehicles for light-weighting and vehicle manufacturing cost reduction. As most of them are structural components subject to both quasi-static, dynamic and cyclic loading, the quality and quantifiable performance of the ultra-large aluminum shape castings is critical to their success in both design and manufacturing. This paper briefly reviews some application examples of ultra-large aluminum castings in automotive industry and outlines their advantages and benefits. Factors affecting quality, microstructure and mechanical properties of ultra-large aluminum castings are evaluated and discussed as aluminum shape casting processing is very complex and often involves many competing mechanisms, multi-physics phenomena, and potentially large uncertainties that significantly influence the casting quality and performance. Metallurgical analysis and mechanical property assessment of an ultra-large aluminum shape casting are presented. Challenges are highlighted and suggestions are made for robust design and manufacturing of ultra-large aluminum castings.
Source: China Foundry
Authors: Qi-gui Wang, Andy Wang, Jason Coryell
Institution: General Motors (United States)
Language: English
Subfield: Aerospace Engineering
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,790
OpenAlex ID: W4402452694
