During a customer visit to our factory site, I overheard a conversation between two engineers.
They were checking a newly produced aluminum squeeze casting part, and one of them said, “This is going to change things for us!”
The engineer’s comment reflects the quiet revolution that aluminum squeeze casting parts are bringing to industries that require excellent mechanical properties.
Aluminum squeeze castings come with excellent mechanical properties such as superior tensile strength, yield strength, elongation, and hardness. The process applies high pressure to the molten aluminum during solidification, which makes the parts denser, more accurate in dimension, and free of porosity compared to those produced by conventional casting methods. At CEX, we use patented technologies to enhance this process, which further improves its mechanical properties. Here are the mechanical properties our squeeze casting can achieve:
Tensile strength, 260~380N/mm²
Yield strength, 220~260N/mm²
Elongation, 2%~13%
Hardness, 80~135HB
The mechanical properties of aluminum squeeze casting make it possible to meet the strict requirements of different industries.
CEX’s 28 years of manufacturing experience provides unique insights into how to optimize mechanical properties for each application.
In this case, let’s take a closer look at the mechanical properties of our aluminum squeeze-casting parts for high-stakes applications.
Tensile Strength of Aluminum Squeeze Castings
For aluminum squeeze-casting parts, the tensile strength is very important to evaluate how much stress the parts can bear before failure.
The high-pressure environment during the squeeze casting process can minimize porosity and refine the microstructure, which directly contributes to the increased tensile strength of the parts.
At CEX, the tensile strength for our aluminum squeeze casting parts is from 260 to 380N/mm², inspected by the tensile strength testing machine in our lab.
However, this range can be influenced by many factors, such as the alloy composition, casting environment, and post-processing heat treatments.
Yield Strength of Aluminum Squeeze Castings
Yield strength is very important for aluminum squeeze casting parts to reflect how they behave under stress.
It represents the maximum stress that the parts can bear without permanent deformation.
At CEX, the yield strength for our aluminum squeeze casting parts is usually from 220 to 260 N/mm².
This property ensures that aluminum squeeze-casting parts can keep their structure under operational loads.
Therefore, aluminum squeeze-casting parts are widely used in automotive frames and aerospace components, where the parts must perform under stress.
Elongation of Aluminum Squeeze Castings
Elongation is a measure of how much a material can be stretched before it breaks, which indicates its ductility.
At CEX, for aluminum squeeze casting parts, the elongation is usually from 2% to 13%.
This property is very important for the parts used in applications where the materials should endure bending and stretching without fracturing, such as automotive body parts and aircraft fuselages.
High elongation can enhance the energy absorption capability of the parts, which is very important for their safety and longevity under dynamic conditions.
With over 28 years of manufacturing experience, CEX’s patented squeeze casting technology can maximize the elongation of castings while maintaining their structural integrity.
Hardness of Aluminum Squeeze Castings
The hardness of aluminum squeeze casting parts is usually from 80 to 135HB, which is measured by the Brinell scale in our lab.
Hardness is very important for the parts to resist surface wear and deformation under load.
The hardness of squeeze-casting parts can be adjusted by selecting different alloys and heat treatment processes.
Therefore, the hardness of squeeze casting parts can be tailored for specific applications, such as exceptional wear resistance or durability.
CEX supports the T6 heat treatment of our aluminum squeeze castings to comply with the higher hardness requirements of our customers.
Choosing the Right Aluminum Alloy for Squeeze Castings
Selecting the appropriate aluminum alloy is crucial for aluminum squeeze casting to achieve the desired mechanical properties.
At CEX, some commonly used aluminum alloys for squeeze casting are A356.2, A380, and A319, which all have their advantages.
A356.2 has excellent strength and corrosion resistance, widely used in automotive and marine applications.
A380 has good fluidity and pressure tightness, it is suitable for intricate castings.
A319 has a good balance of castability, strength, and thermal properties, which is suitable for engine parts and similar applications.
Below are aluminum squeeze casting parts we developed, combined with excellent mechanical properties and high precision.
CEX Casting’s Aluminum Squeeze Castings Mechanical Properties
At CEX Casting, we are proud of our aluminum squeeze casting parts with excellent mechanical properties.
The tested squeeze casting part comes with a tensile strength of 375 N/mm², a yield strength of 290 N/mm², an elongation of 11.0%, and a hardness of 114 HB.
Why Aluminum Squeeze Castings Can Replace Steel Casting
Aluminum squeeze castings are widely used in components that require high strength and lightweight performance, demonstrating superior advantages over steel casting.
The reason is that aluminum squeeze casting comes with advanced metallurgical technology, which can obtain porosity-free castings.
At CEX, we use our patented machines and internally developed moulds for squeeze casting production.
The specially designed feeding system will minimize air entry into the mould.
When the molten aluminum is under high pressure during squeeze casting process, its grain size becomes smaller and more uniform.
This will increase the strength and stiffness of aluminum alloys, making them similar to steel in many structural applications.
An Example from CEX
We have developed an aluminum squeeze casting part used for connection, to replace its original steel material.
Parts can reach the same mechanical properties as steel while reducing the weight by 67%. See the picture below.
Replacing Forging with Aluminum Squeeze Casting
Superior Mechanical Properties and Strength
In the squeeze casting process, molten aluminum is pushed by a specially designed feeding system, which reduces porosity and results in a higher density in the casting.
The high pressure during the squeeze casting process can refine the microstructure of the aluminum alloy and make it more uniform.
This results in parts with greater strength and durability compared to traditional forging parts.
A uniform microstructure endows castings with excellent mechanical properties and provides consistent and reliable performance across every casting.
This is a challenge for forging parts because of their variable grain structure.
Good one-shot forming capability is another huge advantage of squeeze casting over forging.
For some forged parts with complex structures, if the squeeze casting process is used, the cost of secondary machining will be greatly reduced.
An Example from CEX
We have developed an aluminum squeeze casting part used for E-scooter, to replace its original hot forging manufacturing process.
Parts can reach the same mechanical properties to forging while saving the post-machining costs. See the picture below.
Conclusion
Aluminum squeeze casting is a significant progress in the casting industry.
In CEX Casting, we make high-quality and high-strength products with our patented squeeze casting process, which can meet the strict requirements of different industries, especially automotive, aerospace, and industrial machinery.
By using our patented aluminum squeeze casting technology and equipment, our customers can get durable, efficient, and high-performance products for their critical applications.
Contact us for more information about our squeeze casting process and case study.