Using quality mapping to predict spatial variation in local properties and component performance in Mg alloy thin-walled high-pressure die castings: an ICME approach and case study

Abstract

This paper explores the use of quality mapping for the prediction of the spatial variation in local properties in thin-walled high-pressure die castings (HPDC) of the magnesium alloy AM60. The work investigates the role of casting parameters on local ductility and yield strength and presents a model for predicting local ductility and yield strength in a cast component. A design of experiment (DOE) was created to examine the role of various casting parameters on local properties such as ductility and yield strength. Over 1,200 tensile samples were excised from cast parts and tested. Casting simulations were also conducted for each experimental condition. Local properties were predicted, and the local property (quality map) model was compared with a prototype production component. The results of this model were used as input to a performance simulation software code to simulate the component-level behavior under two different loading conditions. In this study, the authors bypassed the traditional Integrated Computational Materials Engineering (ICME; process-microstructure-properties) approach in favor of a semi-empirical quality mapping approach to provide estimates of manufacturing sensitive local properties for use in process and component design.