Magnesium Alloy Wheel Hub Forging with Layered Property Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for producing magnesium alloy wheels, particularly the forging process, face challenges in achieving consistent mechanical properties and efficient weight reduction, limiting their performance and design flexibility.

Innovation Solution

A method involving heating the magnesium alloy bar to 350-430°C, followed by initial and final forging under controlled conditions using a 6000-ton press, with subsequent testing to achieve layered material properties, allowing for tailored microstructure and mechanical properties distribution, enabling precise design and machining of the wheel hub.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If conventional forging process is used for magnesium alloy wheels, then production can be carried out, but the mechanical properties consistency and design flexibility are limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical propertiesVSAvoiddesign flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the forging process into multiple sequential stages (initial forging, intermediate forging, final forging) with different parameters. Each stage produces distinct microstructural characteristics, allowing different regions of the wheel to have optimized properties for their specific functional requirements, thereby improving both mechanical properties consistency and design flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements local quality by creating spatially varying microstructures through controlled forging sequences. Different regions of the magnesium alloy wheel receive different forging treatments, resulting in location-specific mechanical properties that match local functional demands, enhancing both strength consistency and adaptability to various design requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Ease of manufacture

If heating temperature is increased to improve deformability, then forging cracks are reduced, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovedeformabilityVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSUse of energy by stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by precisely controlling the heating temperature within an optimal range (350-430°C) rather than using excessive heat. This temperature optimization ensures the magnesium alloy achieves sufficient deformability for crack-free forging while minimizing energy consumption, resolving the contradiction between ease of manufacture and energy efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach enhances the mechanical properties of the magnesium alloy wheel hub, meeting stringent standards for impact strength, radial fatigue, and bending fatigue, while allowing for weight reduction and improved design efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

heating the magnesium alloy bar to 350-430°C

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal heating: Heating

Implementation Method 2

the heating furnace comprises an electromagnetic heating furnace

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic heating: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP4112764A1Method of producing a magnesium alloy wheel hub
Publication Date: 2023.01.04 CITIC DICASTAL CO LTD
  • EP4112764A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4112764A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4112764A1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A method of producing a magnesium alloy wheel hub, comprises the following steps: step 1, heating a magnesium alloy bar to 350~430°C and keeping the temperature for 20 minutes; step 2, initially forging and forming the bar under a forging press, the forging speed is 6~15 mm/s; step 3, finally forging and forming the bar under a forging press, and the forging speed is 5~8 mm/s; step 4, testing the microstructure and material properties of the final forged blank to obtain the layered material property distribution on the thickness of the blank; step 5, according to the layered material property distribution on the thickness of the blank obtained in step 4, selecting the part that meets the requirements to make a magnesium alloy wheel hub. According to the different properties in the thickness direction of the blank, the spoke orientation of the magnesium alloy wheel can be quickly designed according to the needs, and the magnesium alloy wheel that meets the usage performance can be obtained, which greatly improves the design and processing efficiency.