Secondary Dendrite Arm Spacing Refining in Cylinder Heads by Low Pressure Die Casting Process 2011-36-0004

This paper describes the development of a low pressure die casting process for cylinder heads, with focus on the minimization and control of the micro-constituents in an aluminum alloy. The increasing demand for new designs of auto-parts which are interchangeable among platform and global powertrain, confirm the need for good quality equalization in a globalized market. However, in the specific case of engine aggregates, there is a strong complicating factor which is the fuel mixture variation used in several regions of the world, which create distinct combustion rates and thermo-mechanical efforts. In view of such scenario, a Low Pressure Die Casting process (LPDC) was developed as an alternative for the current process by Gravity Sand process (GS). Their objective is to fulfill the material requirements, focusing on the minimization of the Secondary Dendrite Arm Spacing (SDAS), which exert a significant influence on the most critical mechanical properties.