Heat treatment features in die casting is crucial for enhancing the properties of cast components, particularly those made from aluminum, zinc, magnesium, and other alloys.
In the die casting process, heat treatment is an important means to improve the performance and extend the service life of the die. Here are some heat treatment features in die casting:
- Improvement of mechanical properties
- Improvement of corrosion resistance and processing performance
- Heat treatment process
- Surface hardening treatment
- Avoid deformation and cracks
- Vacuum heat treatment
- T5 and T6 heat treatment
- Material Selection
- Effect of heat treatment on microstructure
Heat treatment features in die casting
Improvement of mechanical properties
- Heat treatment can significantly improve the mechanical strength, fatigue strength, elongation, impact strength and dimensional stability of die castings.
- For example, the mechanical properties of aluminum alloy die castings can be optimized by T6 heat treatment.
Improvement of corrosion resistance and processing performance
- Heat treatment can also improve the corrosion resistance and processing performance of aluminum alloy die castings, such as cutting and welding.
Heat treatment process
- Heat treatment of die casting molds usually includes the steps of annealing, quenching and tempering.
- These steps give the die the desired organization and properties by changing the microstructure of the steel.
Surface hardening treatment of heat treatment features in die casting
- For specific applications, such as those requiring high hardness and wear resistance, surface hardening treatment techniques.
Avoid deformation and cracks
- While rapid quenching can increase hardness and strength, it can also lead to mold distortion and cracking.
- Therefore, tempering is usually required after quenching to relieve stress and stabilize the structure.
Vacuum heat treatment
- In order to minimize the surface blistering problem caused by gas entrapment, some high vacuum die castings use vacuum heat treatment technology.
T5 and T6 heat treatment
- T5 and T6 are commonly used heat treatment processes, where T5 involves water quenching and low-temperature aging treatments.
- While T6 includes solution heat treatment close to the melting point, water quenching and low-temperature aging treatments.
Material Selection
- Choosing the right material and heat treatment process is critical to improving the service life of the mold.
- For example, the use of bainitic-treated tool steels can improve the high-temperature strength and creep properties of a mold.
Effect of heat treatment on microstructure
- Different heat treatment processes lead to different microstructural changes, which affect the mechanical properties and corrosion resistance of the material.
Haichen’s machine heat treatment in die casting
Haichen is a manufacturer specializing in die casting machines, offering both hot chamber and cold chamber machines.
Haichen’s machine heat treatment in casting reduces residual stresses from rapid cooling during die casting. When paired with Haichen’s precision machines, this can lead to minimal warping or cracking.
Heat treatment plays a vital role in optimizing the performance, durability, and reliability of die-cast components across industries.