The development of joint parts for automobile body by thixocasting

Thixocasting technology has been developed so that processes, including continuous casting with stirring. heating and casting, are integrated. This technology was applied to a rear outrigger. This part is a large cast component. The developmental objectives were: (1) To produce a large, thin-walled component in order to reduce weight. (2) To achieve the necessary strength using T5 treatment without T6 treatment which requires additional straightening operations. (3) To ensure good internal and surface quality and weldability. Applying this technology to the rear outrigger reduced weight by 20% compared to components produced with GDC and LPDC, and the product can be welded. (C) 2001 Society of Automotive Engineers of Japan, Inc. and Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.