Recent Advances in Commercial Application of the Rheometal Process in China and Europe

Abstract

Recent advances in rheocasting have resulted in significant expansion in the types of products currently in full commercial production. The current paper gives an overview of components in production in Europe and in China produced using the RheoMetalTM process, that has taken the lead in a strong drive towards new heavy-duty applications made from aluminium alloys. In China, the dominating applications are found in the telecom industry. The trend in Europe is more towards marine and automotive applications commonly in fatigue loaded applications. The reason for the choice of rheocasting for complicated shape thin-walled electronics components with requirements is dominated by process yield and by the ability to improve thermal conductivity. The heavy-duty truck chassis thick walled components target weight reduction through design and to sustain fatigue load normally requiring forged components. Common in all applications are seen in production yield, reduced tool wear and reduction of die soldering.