Fluidity of casting Al–Si series alloys for automotive light-weighting: A systematic review

Abstract

With the increasing demand requirements of lightweight automobiles, foundry industries are facing urgent requests from the demanders to manufacture increasingly lighter castings with thin walls and complex shapes. Fluidity is the essential parameter to evaluate the filling ability of casting alloys. Many factors are affecting the fluidity of casting Al–Si series alloys. In this review, the current understanding of the various factors influencing the fluidity of casting Al–Si series alloys was systematically summarised. Moreover, the solidification mechanism of hypoeutectic Al–Si alloys under the high-pressure die casting (HPDC) process is also discussed. HPDC process is not inversely proportional to the solidification interval, but the fluidity length increases with decreasing solidus temperature of the hypoeutectic Al–Si alloys.