Determination of Die Design Rules for Semi-Solid Die Casting Process and Its Experimental Investigation

Die design rule for semi-solid die casting (SSDC) with A356 electromagnetic stirring (EMS) aluminum alloy, was proposed. The die design rule included inspection of machine, part requirements, parting line determination, sleeve, plunger, gating system, overflow, air vent, ejector pin, and heating line design. The specification of gating system, overflow, air vent, plunger tip, and sleeve suitable for respective part were regulated. Two steps die system of lower-positioned gate and three steps die system of center-positioned gate were manufactured for 4 automobile suspension parts, based on the die design rule. For the sound filling pattern and solidification behavior, injection speeds of 4 parts were summarized to the interval (from V1 to V4). As a result of observing the microstructure of 4 parts after T6 heat treatment, primary Al-α phase was globularized and fine Si particles were distributed around the grain boundary. The mechanical properties of 4 parts with T6 heat treatment were investigated and showed ultimate tensile strength (UTS) of 330 MPa, yield strength (YS) of 250 MPa, and elongation of 7.5% as average.