Analytic and experimental method for making magnesium alloy products based on an injection moulding process

Abstract

Magnesium alloys are very attractive materials for the machinery industry, where a lighter weight and a higher strength are needed. Due to the higher ratio of strength versus weight and stiffness versus weight, various magnesium alloys have been tried to make a light and strong product through an extrusion or a die-casting process. However, it was very difficult to achieve these objectives with conventional processes. So, a new process was considered. An injection moulding technology is rising as an alternative solution. In this study, a computer simulation and experiments based upon the injection moulding process were conducted for the AZ91D magnesium alloy. Filling time and melt front temperature were obtained by the simulation. From the injection moulding experimentation, a successful product was made and the product test was conducted.

Three-dimensional injection molding simulation of AZ91D semi-solid magnesium alloy

“…At this point there are very few published simulation results for the injection molding of semi-solid magnesium [10][11][12]. Kim et al [10] used the commercial software MAGMA to make 3D computations. They use a power law model to describe the viscosity and obtain almost isothermal flow conditions.…”