NEWLY DEVELOPED Al-Si BASED ALLOY FOR HIGH TEMPERATURE PROCESSES IN AUTOMOTIVE

Silumins (Al-Si alloys) are the most used type of aluminum foundry alloys used in the automotive. Their significant expansion is result of unique properties combination. The requirements of current automotive industry bring demands for high mechanical properties of silumins (mostly by high temperature processes, which decrease properties of aluminum alloys). One area of application where silumins replace the Fe based alloys are forms for tires pressing. Working temperature during this casting process is 160-180 degrees C, but nowadays trends for rubber vulcanization in tires production increase working temperature over 200 degrees C. Ordinary aluminum alloys lose their mechanical properties at this temperature. The article describes results of research of newly developed alloy applied for tire pressing forms. This research was subsequently widened by heat treatment being applied to this alloy. Both of these material characteristics (chemical composition and heat treatment) preserve its mechanical properties even when being exposed to high temperature processes.