Development of industrial components by advanced squeeze casting

This paper presents an analysis of an advanced squeeze casting process suitable for the manufacturing of high performance industrial components more quickly and cheaply. After short description of the process some produced components are considered. The components, in A356 and A380 alloys, have been T6 heat treated and their soundness has been certified by non destructive tests. Standard samples for impact test, as well as for fracture rupture strength have been machined directly from the previous components. After the execution of the tests the fracture surface of samples has been observed by SEM in order to analyze details and to evaluate the influence of the process and of the alloy on the fracture behaviour. On polished transverse sections of samples the microstructure of the alloy has been observed, highlighting the presence of very small and uniformly distributed intermetallic particles in a mainly globular shaped microstructure as expression of the attained semi-solid conditions during the process.