Semisolid metal injection molding machine components

• US 20060196626A1
• Filed: 03/07/2005
• Published: 09/07/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/07/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Thixomat Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Thixomat Incorporated
• Inventors: Walukas, Donald M., Decker, Raymond F., Vining, Ralph E.
• Application Number:
  US11/073,769
• Publication Number:
  US 20060196626A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 164/312
• CPC Class Codes: B22D 17/007 Semi-solid pressure die casting
• CPC Class Codes: B22D 17/10 with horizontal press motion
• CPC Class Codes: B22D 17/2023 Nozzles or shot sleeves
• CPC Class Codes: B22D 17/2061 using screws

Abstract

The present invention provides an alloy for components of semi-solid injection molding machinery. In particular, the alloy is a intermetallic-hardened steel, known as a Maraging steel alloy. The Maraging steel alloy includes Cr, Co, Mo, and about 0.15% or less by weight C.

Claims

1. A semi-solid injection molding machine, comprising:

a plurality of components defining a flowpath through the machine for a feedstock, at least one of the plurality of components being constructed of a martensitic Maraging steel alloy material Including Cr, Co, Mo, and about 0.15% or less by weight C.

2. The machine of claim 1 wherein the Maraging steel alloy includes between about 9 and 16% by weight Cr.

3. The machine of claim 2 wherein the Maraging steel alloy includes between about 12 and 15% by weight Cr.

4. The machine of claim 1 wherein the Maraging steel alloy includes between 9 and 20% by weight Co.

5. The machine of claim 4 wherein the Maraging steel alloy includes between about 10 and 14% by weight Co.

8. The machine of claim 1 wherein the Maraging steel alloy has an austenite state at about 1500-1900 °

F.

9. The machine of claim 8 wherein the Maraging steel alloy martensite ages at between about 900 and 1200°

F.

10. The machine of claim 1 wherein the Maraging steel alloy has a hardness of about 40-50 Rc.

18. The Injection molding machine of claim 1 wherein the Maraging steel alloy has an austenite state at about 1500-1900°

F.

19. The injection molding machine of claim 18 wherein the Maraging steel alloy martensite ages at between about 900 and 1200°

F.

20. The injection molding machine of claim 1 wherein the components are formed by all-liquid injection molding.

21. The injection molding machine of claim 1 wherein the components are formed by die casting.

22. The injection molding machine of claim 1 wherein the components are heat treated.

23. The injection molding machine of claim 22 wherein the heat treatment is stabilizing heat treatment.

24. The injection molding machine of claim 22 wherein the heat treatment is regenerating heat treatment.

6. A semi-solid injection molding machine, comprising:

a plurality of components defining a flowpath through the machine for a feedstock, at least one of the plurality of components being constructed of a martensitic Maraging steel alloy material including Cr, Co, Mo, and about 0.15% or less by weight C. wherein the Maraging steel alloy includes Mo in the range of about 2.9 and about 6% by weight Mo.

7. The machine of claim 6 wherein the Maraging steel alloy includes Mo in the range of about 4 and 5.5% by weight.

11. A semi-solid injection molding machine comprising:

a barrel which receives feedstock and heats the feedstock;

a nozzle from which feedstock in a semi-solid state is ejected;

means for advancing the feedstock within the barrel;

means for subjecting the feedstock to shear;

means for ejecting feedstock from the nozzle;

wherein one of barrel, nozzle, means for advancing, means for subjecting, and means for ejecting are constructed of a martensitic Maraging steel alloy material including Cr, Co, Mo, and about 0.15% or less by weight C.

12. The injection molding machine of claim, 11 wherein the Maraging steel alloy includes between about 9 and 16% by weight Cr.

13. The Injection molding machine of claim 12 wherein the Maraging steel alloy includes between about 12 and 15% by weight Cr.

14. The injection molding machine of claim 11 wherein the Maraging steel alloy includes between 9 and 20% by weight Co.

15. The injection molding machine of claim 14 wherein the Maraging steel alloy includes between about 10 and 14% by weight Co.

16. A semi-solid injection molding machine comprising:

a barrel which receives feedstock and heats the feedstock;

a nozzle from which feedstock in a semi-solid state is ejected;

means for advancing the feedstock within the barrel;

means for subjecting the feedstock to shear;

means for ejecting feedstock from the nozzle;

wherein one of barrel, nozzle, means for advancing, means for subjecting, and means for ejecting are constructed of a martensitic Maraging steel alloy material including Cr, Co, Mo, and about 0.15% or less bv weight C wherein the Maraging steel alloy includes Mo in the range of about 2.9 and about 6% by weight.

17. The injection molding machine of claim 16 wherein the Maraging steel alloy includes Mo in the range of about 4 and about 5.5% by weight.

25. A semi-solid injection molding machine comprising;

a plurality of components defining a flowpath through the machine for a feedstock, at least one of the plurality of components being constructed of a martensitic Maraging steel alloy material including Cr, Co, Mo, about 0.15% or less by weight C and about 8% or less by weight Ni.