Abstract
Rapidly solidified powder metallurgical aluminum alloys for automobile and home appliance industries were developed. Rapid solidification made it possible to refine microstructures and to expand the range of alloy composition. Al-Si-TM(Transition Metal) alloys have higher strength, higher Young's modulus, lower CTE(Coefficient of Thermal Expansion) and better machinability than those of conventinal aluminum alloys.
The powder was consolidated into NNS(Near Net Shape) either by CIP-hot extrusion or by compact-hot forging process. The new extrusion process eliminates expensive encapsulating and scalping processes, hot pressing and/or hot forging. The new direct powder forging process gets rid of surface layer on particles which blocks sintering. The parts made of the alloys have been commercially manufactured and used as key components of air conditioners and motorcyle engines.
