Aluminum Squeeze Casting

Enhancing Mechanical Performance and Reducing Costs

Squeeze Casting Process in CEX

Squeeze-Casting-Workshop

CEX started to research and develop the squeeze casting process in 2015. As China’s leading squeeze casting manufacturer, we have a patented squeeze casting process and equipment (300t-1100t) and one squeeze casting manufacturing base.

From the mold design to the process parameters determination and product refinement, all these steps reflect the rich experience and wisdom of our engineers. The products we have developed have been used in various fields and have helped many customers to improve the mechanical properties of their products and significantly reduce their production costs.

Our Squeeze Casting Capability

aluminum casting
  • Tensile Strength: 220-240MPa
  • Yield Strength: 260-320MPa
  • Hardness: 80-90Hb
  • Elongation: 4-10%

Mechanical Property We Achieve:

  • Equipment: 300t~1100t aluminum squeeze casting machine
  • Material We Use: A356, A380, A319, AlSi10Mg, AlSi9Mg, etc
  • Part Weight: 50g~20kg
  • Maximum Size: 1.2m*0.8m
  • Wall Thickness: 4mm-25mm
  • Tolerance: blank ±0.2mm, ±0.01mm after machining
  • Heat Treatment: T5, T6

Production Capability:

What is Squeeze Casting Process?

Squeeze casting, also known as liquid die forging, is a type of casting process in which molten metal solidifies under pressure within closed dies positioned between the plates of a hydraulic press. 

The pressure applied and the instant contact of the molten metal with the die surfaces produces a rapid heat transfer, which yields a pore-free, fine-grained casting with mechanical properties similar to those of a wrought product. 

The squeeze die casting process is easily automated to produce near-net to net-shaped, high-quality casting products.

squeeze-casting-machine

Types of Squeeze Die Casting

There are two types of squeeze casting processes: direct squeeze casting and indirect squeeze casting. The difference between the two types is how the high pressure is applied to the molten metal.

Direct Squeeze Casting

Direct squeeze casting is a process in which the molten metal is poured directly into the mold cavity and pressure is introduced when the top punch is lowered into the bottom die. 

This process is much like forging and that is why squeeze casting is also called liquid forging.

direct squeeze casting

Indirect Squeeze Casting

Indirect squeeze casting is a process in which the molten metal is injected into the cavity from a plunger.

The pressure is applied by the plunger in the indirect squeeze casting.

indirect squeeze casting

Squeeze Die Casting Process Characteristics

The squeezing die casting process combines the advantages of casting and forging processes and has been widely used to produce quality castings. 

Because of the high pressure applied during the solidification, porosities caused by both gas and shrinkage can be prevented or eliminated.

The cooling rate of the casting can be increased by applying high pressure during solidification since contact between the casting and the die is improved by pressurization, which results in fine-grained structures.

1) Refined inner grain structures

inner grain structures

2) Less gas and shrinkage porosity—Die Casting VS Squeeze Casting

Less-Gas-volume-and-shrinkage-porosity

Porosity Free Aluminum Squeeze Castings

x ray test for squeeze casting parts

At CEX Casting, the internal structure of our aluminum squeeze casting parts can achieve virtually no porosity.

It can avoid defects in traditional aluminum casting methods such as shrinkages, cracks, and other common defects.

The above figure shows the near-zero porosity internal structure detected by our X-ray machine.

Mechanical Preperties of Squeeze Castings

The biggest advantage of the squeeze casting process is that the castings can be heat treated to achieve improved mechanical properties.

After T6, the mechanical properties of the squeeze casting parts could be much higher.

Mechanical property comparison of the squeeze casting parts from different materials:

Note:  Density 2.72g/cm³, tested pieces cut from casting parts. The data from the test bar will be higher.

 
MaterialTensile Strength MPaYield Strength MPaHardness HBElongation %
AlSi9Mg240160803
A356260180805
A356.2300220907
Al-Ti Alloy3202301009
6061-T633024011010
7075-T650030016011

Squeeze Casting Process Advantages

Good roughness similar to die casting & precision casting.

Parts are made with high accuracy like die casting & precision casting.

No additional material costs and extra machining, better than forging.

Can be T6 treated, better than die casting, and similar to forging.

Parts have a high sealing property.

High mechanical properties similar to forging, and better than investment casting or sand casting.

Squeeze Casting vs Other Processes:

ItemsSqueeze CastingForgingInvestment CastingHigh-Pressure CastingLow-Pressure Casting
SurfaceFineFineBadFineMedium
RoughnessRa3.2~1.6Ra3.2~1.6Ra6.3~3.2Ra3.2~1.6Ra6.3~3.2
InsideFine Grain & Compact MicrostructureFine Grain & Compact MicrostructureCoarse Grain & Loosen MicrostructureInhomogeneous Grain & Loosen MicrostructureCoarse Grain & Loosen Microstructure
Heat TreatmentT6T6T6T6
Structure LevelComplex StructureSimple StructureComplex StructureComplex StructureSimple Structure
Forming AccuracyHighMediumMediumHighLow
Extra MachiningMinorMoreMoreMinorMore
Production EfficiencyHighLowLowHighLow
Mechanical PropertiesSame or Close to ForgingHighestMediumLowLow

Squeeze Casting Process Applications

ApplicationParts
Automobile Stressed PartsAutomobile Piston, Wheel Hub, Beam (Cross Beam), Knuckle, Lower Arm, Brake Caliper, Engine Mounting, Gearbox, Air Compressor, Connecting Rod
Pressure Parts / Airtight PartsAir Conditioning Compressor, Turbine Disk, Cylinder, Front and Rear Cover, Steering Valve Housing, Oil Pump, Manifold, Fuel Distribution Pipe, Brake Block, Clutch Cylinder
Wear Resistance PartsShift Fork, Pump Casing, Rocker Arms, Air Compressor Piston and Swashplate, Aluminum Composite Brake Hub
Motorcycle Stressed PartsUpper and Lower Connecting Plate, Gearbox Housing, Rear Hanger, Crank, Frame Body, Joint, Frame Joint, Direction Axis
Motorcycle Pressure and Wear PartsAluminum Piston, Shock Absorber, Disc Brake, Pump Body
Electrical Parts / Power PartsDisk Drive Housing, Electrical Spindle Bushing, Electrical Compression Ring, Sonar Shell, Computer Parts, Rotors, Crimping Clamp, Suspension Clamp, Parallel Groove Clamp
New Energy VehiclesElectric Automobile Parts, Hybrid Power Automobile Parts, Bumpers, Body Shell, Body Frame
Advanced FieldMilitary Parts, Aerospace Accessories, Aircraft Accessories, Optical Frame Shell, Medical Equipment Accessories, Fitness Equipment Accessories
OthersMarine Propellers, Pneumatic Instrument Housing, Pressure Cooker and Cooker Equipment Parts, Furniture Accessories, Valve Body, Valve Accessories, Garden Tool Parts, Fan Blades

Squeeze Casting Product We Developed

CEX casting is China’s leading squeeze casting company. Our Squeeze Casting Service Helped Many Companies To Improve The Mechanical Properties Of Different Parts. Those squeeze casting products have better mechanical characteristics than conventionally cast Parts because of their higher density, the finer scale of grain, and more homogeneous microstructure.

squeeze-casting-parts-connector

Replaces casting steel to give a lighter weight

Part Name: Steering Knuckles Trailer Connector

Material: A356.2

Heat Treatment: T6

Unit Weight: 2.25kg

Unit Weight by Steel: 4.92kg

Weight reduced by 54%, passes 100W Bench Test.

aluminum-squeeze-casting-parts

Replaces hot forging for some complex parts, reduces machining steps to save costs

Part Name: Electric Scooter Folding Part

Material: A356.2

Heat treatment: T6

Reduces the machining process, and saves at least 40% of the costs.

aluminum squeeze casting parts (2)

Replaces traditional die casting and improves safety performance (50% strength increase)

Part Name: Tent Folding Part

Material: A356.2

Heat Treatment: T6

Strength is 50% higher than traditional HPDC to give better support over longer distances.

squeeze_casting_valves_parts-

No gas holes or shrinkage inside to meet high resistance and air tightness requirements

Part Name: Valve parts

Material: A319

Heat Treatment: No Need

No porosity pits, dents, or scratches on the entire surface.

For more applications, you can click the link below to get the whole squeeze casting case studies.

Our Squeeze Casting Equipment

aluminum-squeeze-casting-process1 (1)

280T- 1100T Squeeze Casting Equipment

4 Sets of CNC Machining Center

5 Sets of Precision Engraving Machine for Mold

50 Sets of Other Assistance Equipment

Our Squeeze Casting Quality Control Method

ISO 9001 & IATF 16949 system control of the entire production process.

Advanced quality inspection instruments and experienced quality inspectors:

  • Three-coordinate Detector
  • Leak Tester
  • Two-dimensional Scanner
  • Hardness Detector
  • Tensile Tester
  • X-ray Detector
Feel free to contact CEX for any questions and requests