Saltcore Composition for Aluminum Die-Casting Shrinkage Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing saltcores for aluminum casting face challenges in maintaining strength while minimizing shrinkage, leading to deformation and increased production costs due to insufficient mechanical strength and excessive shrinkage during the high-pressure casting process.

Innovation Solution

A saltcore composition comprising K+, Na+, and Mg2+ cations with Cl- and CO32- anions, along with dolomite, is used, which is mixed, melted, and injected into a mold at high pressure, allowing for reduced shrinkage and enhanced strength, enabling efficient high-pressure casting with improved dimensional accuracy and reduced defect rates.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a saltcore is used for aluminum casting, then the core can be easily removed after casting, but the saltcore experiences excessive shrinkage and insufficient strength during high-pressure casting

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of core removalVSAvoidcore strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies composite materials by combining multiple salt components (NaCl, KCl, CaCl2, MgCl2, and optionally AlCl3) in specific proportions to create a saltcore that achieves both sufficient strength and controlled shrinkage. The composite salt mixture maintains the advantage of easy removal while compensating for the weakness of individual salt components through synergistic interactions among the different salts.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Ease of manufacture

If a saltcore is used for aluminum casting, then the core can be easily removed after casting, but the saltcore experiences excessive shrinkage during high-pressure casting

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of core removalVSAvoiddimensional accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by carefully controlling the chemical composition parameters of the saltcore (specific ratios of NaCl, KCl, CaCl2, MgCl2, and AlCl3) to modify the shrinkage behavior. By adjusting these compositional parameters, the saltcore achieves dimensional stability during high-pressure casting while retaining the ability to be easily removed after casting.

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

The proposed saltcore solution effectively reduces shrinkage to less than 1.2% and achieves a strength of at least 15 MPa, enabling the production of aluminum cast articles with complex shapes while reducing production time and costs by up to 10-15% compared to traditional methods.

Implementation Method 1

a melting step of forming a molten salt by melting the mixture containing components of the saltcore

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMelting: Melting

Implementation Method 2

a heating step of heating the molten salt by a caster

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Data Source

PatentEP3338910B1Saltcore for die-casting with aluminum and manufacturing method therefor
Publication Date: 2024.07.24 HYUNDAI MOTOR CO LTD
  • EP3338910B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3338910B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3338910B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Provided herein are a saltcore for casting with aluminum and a manufacturing method thereof, and more particularly, a saltcore and a manufacturing method thereofcapable of reducing shrinkage while satisfying strength during die-casting by including at least one cation of K+, Na+ and Mg2+ and at least one anion of Cl- and CO32-, wherein a saltcore for casting with aluminum may include at least one cation of K+, Na+ and Mg2+ and at least one anion of Cl- and CO32-.