Abstract
Recently, the demand for magnesium alloy formed by thixomolding for use in home electric appliances and automobile parts has been rapidly growing, because of the need to reduce their weight and improve the heat radiation, electromagnetic shielding and recycling performances. In this study, I examined the possibility of press-piercing of a thixomolding-processed MD1D magnesium alloy sheet, which is believed to be difficult due to its low-ductility material, and also examined the appropriate processing conditions, by experiments. Results revealed that a pierced surface devoid of defects such as cracks is consistently obtained when the clearance between the punch and die is set at 10%t or smaller in the press-piercing of a magnesium alloy sheet. Furthermore, from the results it was also clarified that piercing of a magnesium alloy sheet by the cut-off punching process, in which piercing and shaving are performed within 1 stroke of the press machine, provides a highly accurate hole in the entirely smooth shaved surface.
