Aluminum alloy for engine blocks

Abstract

An aluminum alloy is disclosed that is suitable for casting and machining cylinder blocks for engines, especially gasoline fuel engines for automotive vehicles. The casting has the strength and wear resistance to piston / seal scuffing for such engines. The alloy comprises, by weight, 9.5 to 12.5% silicon, 0.1 to 1.5% iron, 1.5 to 4.5% copper, 0.2 to 3% manganese, 0.1 to 0.6% magnesium, 2.0% max zinc, 0 to 1.5% nickel, 0.25% maximum titanium, up to 0.05% strontium and the balance aluminum, where the weight ratio of manganese to iron is 1.2 to 1.75 or higher when the iron content is equal to or greater than 0.4% and the weight ratio of manganese to iron is at least 0.6 to 1.2 when the iron content is less than 0.4% of the alloy.

Description

technical field [0001] The present invention relates to an aluminum alloy which can be cast into machinable and wear-resistant articles, such as engine cylinder blocks for motor vehicles. Background of the invention [0002] The use of aluminum for motor and engine blocks offers the possibility of significantly reducing vehicle weight and saving fuel. However, after decades of effort, an aluminum alloy that simultaneously provides the castability, machinability, and wear resistance required to manufacture and maintain cylinder blocks has not been developed and defined. Aluminum alloys that are resistant to piston wear are difficult to cast into cylinder blocks of complex shapes and difficult to machine to final required dimensions. Aluminum alloys suitable for casting and machining into cylinder blocks lack the wear resistance of cylinder walls in use. Engine manufacturers tend to choose castable and machinable alloys and modify the cylinder wall surface to obtain the requ...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

These modifications of the cylinder block will increase the cost of the product

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