Development and application of cast aluminum and aluminum alloy materials

Aluminum alloy castings and die castings play a crucial role in today's global manufacturing landscape. Currently, approximately 10% of primary aluminum and 85% of recycled aluminum are used to produce aluminum alloys for casting. In 2010, the world produced around 22 million tons of aluminum and aluminum alloy casting products, with die castings making up over 60%, while low-pressure and sand castings each accounted for roughly 20%. The industry has been growing at an annual rate of about 10%. In China, the output of aluminum alloy casting products reached 2.8 million tons, with die castings accounting for more than 55%, low-pressure casting at around 25%, and sand casting at about 20%. Other foundry products made up about 3%, and the annual growth rate in China has reached as high as 15%.

These aluminum alloys are widely used in transportation sectors such as automobiles and motorcycles, followed by electronics, home appliances, and hardware. Recently, their applications have expanded into aerospace, aviation, and machinery manufacturing. With global car production reaching about 70 million units annually and total vehicles exceeding 800 million, the demand for aluminum is rising. In 2010, China’s auto production surpassed 18 million, with over 80 million vehicles on the road. In developed countries, the average aluminum content per vehicle is around 200 kg, with some models reaching up to 380 kg. China is gradually increasing its usage, aiming for about 150 kg per vehicle. If aluminum alloy castings account for 75% of the aluminum used in cars, the volume of aluminum alloy casting products required for the automotive industry is truly massive. Thus, the development of the automotive sector remains a major driver for the growth of aluminum casting products.

With the rapid advancement of modern vehicles like cars and motorcycles, there is significant potential for aluminum alloy casting products. Over the past few decades, cast aluminum alloys have become essential in meeting the demands of the transportation industry, including engines, pistons, cylinder blocks, and wheels. Researchers have focused on developing alloys with high strength, toughness, wear resistance, low shrinkage, good weldability, corrosion resistance, fatigue resistance, and excellent fluidity for both casting and die-casting processes. These properties are vital for automotive components that require high performance and durability.

In recent years, driven by economic growth and the expansion of industries like transportation, aerospace, and electromechanics, the demand for aluminum alloy castings has surged. Not only has the quantity increased, but the quality requirements have also become stricter. Aluminum is now widely used in vehicles, with over 300 million aluminum wheels needed worldwide. China has built a capacity of 150 million units per year. Aluminum alloy vehicles have moved from motorcycles to cars, medium-sized trucks, and heavy-duty vehicles, leading to higher demands for the composition and performance of cast and die-cast aluminum alloys. Many developed countries have introduced various new aluminum alloys tailored for specific applications.

For example, in 1994, the German Rhine Aluminum Company developed a high-strength, high-toughness, high-pressure die-cast aluminum alloy called Sila0llt-36, which is now widely used in the automotive industry. A year later, they introduced another alloy named M-resistant 59, known for its excellent mechanical properties and high toughness in the die-casting state. This alloy is particularly advantageous for structural parts and suspension systems where heat treatment is not possible. In 2004, the company launched Castasil-37, a die-cast alloy with strong aging resistance, suitable for applications requiring long-term stability. In addition, research into new aluminum alloys containing rare earth elements and fiber or particle-reinforced cast aluminum alloys has shown promising results, further expanding the possibilities for future applications.

Box Girder Formwork

Steel box girder and steel and concrete composite box girder are used for large spans, which need to minimize the weight of the bridge, and their excellent high torsional stiffness is particularly useful. The clean lines of the box girder bridge usually have no obvious external hardening. It is generally considered to have excellent appearance and durability, and it has no traps for dust and moisture. Box-shaped cross-sections are sometimes used as compression members, such as in cable support structures or arched towers.

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