Aluminium based components with enhanced characteristics through advanced squeeze casting process

Components in the field of automotive application produced by a modified squeeze casting process have been considered. This innovative process has been oriented toward the manufacturing of high resistance and high toughness automotive parts using A380 alloys and they have been subjected to T6 heat treatment. Standard samples have been machined directly from real automotive components for tensile properties evaluation and hardness values determination. Superior mechanical characteristics have been obtained thanks to the low porosity content and to the particular microstructure features. Fracture surfaces analysis have been realised on the fractured samples, identifying some minor defects, like the presence of carbon particles (with any dangerous effect on the mechanical performances) and some nano-sized oxide inclusion. Moreover, the same fracture surface analysis highlights the ductile natures of the fracture. On the polished transverse sections of the samples morphological analysis has also been performed. High level of resistance and toughness has been obtained for all considered parts. The achieved results demonstrate the reliability of the modified squeeze casting process for production of automotive components.