Described herein are novel aluminum containing alloys. The alloys are highly formable and can be used for producing highly shaped aluminum products, including bottles and cans.

A vehicle wheel, or other axisymmetric shaped article, is formed of an aluminum-based alloy by a combination of a liquid forging step of a pre-form shape of the wheel and a subsequent solid-state flow forming step to complete the specified shape of the wheel. An aluminum-based alloy, containing specified amounts of zinc, silicon, and magnesium is devised for use in the forming process. The composition of the aluminum-based alloy is devised to facilitate the performance of each forming step of the article and the mechanical properties of the final shaped product.

A metal casting system includes a cope mold portion, a drag mold portion, and a mold cavity. The cope mold portion comprises internal cope mold walls. The drag mold portion comprises internal drag mold walls. The cope mold portion and the drag mold portion comprise a molding material comprising a plurality of metal particles.

The mold cavity is representative of a mold pattern, wherein the internal cope mold walls and the internal drag mold walls define, at least in part, the perimeter of the mold cavity.

A metal casting system includes a cope mold portion, a drag mold portion, and a mold cavity. The cope mold portion comprises internal cope mold walls. The drag mold portion comprises internal drag mold walls. The cope mold portion and the drag mold portion comprise a molding material comprising a plurality of metal particles.

The mold cavity is representative of a mold pattern, wherein the internal cope mold walls and the internal drag mold walls define, at least in part, the perimeter of the mold cavity.

A tool and a process for forming a vehicle component is provided. An insert has a lost core generally encapsulated by a cast metal shell. The insert has an anchor surface and a first locating member spaced apart therefrom, and is shaped to form a fluid passage in the vehicle component. A first die is configured to mate with the anchor surface and constrain the insert. A second die defines a first locator recess sized to receive the first locating member and constrain the insert. The first and second dies mate with one another to form the tool. The first and second dies constrain the insert in multiple degrees of freedom.

A tool and a process for forming a vehicle component is provided. An insert has a lost core generally encapsulated by a cast metal shell. The insert has an anchor surface and a first locating member spaced apart therefrom, and is shaped to form a fluid passage in the vehicle component. A first die is configured to mate with the anchor surface and constrain the insert. A second die defines a first locator recess sized to receive the first locating member and constrain the insert. The first and second dies mate with one another to form the tool. The first and second dies constrain the insert in multiple degrees of freedom.

A highly impact resistant ductile iron casting is made from a specified high nickel content ductile iron composition and post-treated with a specified heating and cooling profile to achieve an elongation exceeding the ASTM A536 (60-40-18) standard, and meeting or exceeding Charpy V Notch impact resistance at 20 F. of greater than 11.0 ft.lbs.

A highly impact resistant ductile iron casting is made from a specified high nickel content ductile iron composition and post-treated with a specified heating and cooling profile to achieve an elongation exceeding the ASTM A536 (60-40-18) standard, and meeting or exceeding Charpy V Notch impact resistance at 20 F. of greater than 11.0 ft.lbs.

A low pressure aluminum casting apparatus includes a pair of steel dies each presenting a molding surface and a heat transfer surface. Copper heat sink blocks are disposed on the heat transfer surfaces to remove heat from the steel dies. Steel contact plates and steel spacer plates can be disposed between the heat sink blocks and the steel dies to optimize cooling. In addition, a portion of each contact plate can be spaced from the steel die to reduce cooling. The steel dies include conventional cooling passages for conveying cooling fluid, and the heat sink blocks, contact plates, and spacer plates also include cooling channels for conveying cooling fluid.

A low pressure aluminum casting apparatus includes a pair of steel dies each presenting a molding surface and a heat transfer surface. Copper heat sink blocks are disposed on the heat transfer surfaces to remove heat from the steel dies. Steel contact plates and steel spacer plates can be disposed between the heat sink blocks and the steel dies to optimize cooling. In addition, a portion of each contact plate can be spaced from the steel die to reduce cooling. The steel dies include conventional cooling passages for conveying cooling fluid, and the heat sink blocks, contact plates, and spacer plates also include cooling channels for conveying cooling fluid.