Die casting of bulk-solidifying amorphous alloys
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method for preparing solid die-cast articles, comprising the steps of:
- providing a die-casting apparatus includinga die-casting mold having a metal injection port leading to a die mold cavity with an internal molding surface,a metal injector disposed to force metal into the injection port, anda metal heater operable to heat a charge of metal and provide the heated charge to the metal injector;
providing a charge of a bulk-solidifying amorphous alloy of sufficient volume to fill the die-casting mold cavity, the bulk-solidifying amorphous alloy having a linear coefficient of expansion of no greater than about 10×
10-6 per °
C. when measured at a temperature below Tg, where Tg is the temperature corresponding to a viscosity of the bulk-solidifying amorphous alloy of about 1013 poise;
heating the charge of the bulk-solidifying amorphous alloy to an injection temperature whereat its viscosity is less than about 102 poise at the injection temperature using the metal heater;
injecting the charge of heated bulk-solidifying amorphous alloy into the die-casting mold using the metal injector; and
cooling the charge in the die-casting mold at a cooling rate such that the charge remains amorphous in structure.
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Abstract
Solid die-cast articles are prepared from a charge of a bulk-solidifying amorphous alloy. The charge is heated to an injection temperature and injected into a die-casting mold. The charge is cooled at a rate, about 500° C. per second or less, such that its amorphous structure is retained in the solidified article.
173 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A method for preparing solid die-cast articles, comprising the steps of:
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providing a die-casting apparatus including a die-casting mold having a metal injection port leading to a die mold cavity with an internal molding surface, a metal injector disposed to force metal into the injection port, and a metal heater operable to heat a charge of metal and provide the heated charge to the metal injector; providing a charge of a bulk-solidifying amorphous alloy of sufficient volume to fill the die-casting mold cavity, the bulk-solidifying amorphous alloy having a linear coefficient of expansion of no greater than about 10×
10-6 per °
C. when measured at a temperature below Tg, where Tg is the temperature corresponding to a viscosity of the bulk-solidifying amorphous alloy of about 1013 poise;heating the charge of the bulk-solidifying amorphous alloy to an injection temperature whereat its viscosity is less than about 102 poise at the injection temperature using the metal heater; injecting the charge of heated bulk-solidifying amorphous alloy into the die-casting mold using the metal injector; and cooling the charge in the die-casting mold at a cooling rate such that the charge remains amorphous in structure. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method for preparing solid die-cast articles, comprising the steps of:
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providing a charge of a bulk-solidifying amorphous alloy of sufficient volume to fill the die-casting mold cavity, the bulk-solidifying amorphous alloy having a linear coefficient of expansion of no greater than about 10×
10-6 per °
C. when measured at a temperature below Tg, where Tg is the temperature corresponding to a viscosity of the bulk-solidifying amorphous alloy of about 1013 poise;heating the charge of the bulk-solidifying amorphous alloy to an injection temperature whereat its viscosity is less than about 102 poise; injecting the charge of heated bulk-solidifying amorphous alloy into a die-casting mold under pressure; and cooling the charge in the die-casting mold at a cooling rate such that the charge remains amorphous in structure.
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11. A method for preparing solid die-cast articles, comprising the steps of:
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providing a charge of a bulk-solidifying amorphous alloy, the bulk-solidifying amorphous alloy having a linear coefficient of expansion of no greater than about 10×
10-6 per °
C. when measured at a temperature below a glass transition temperature of the bulk-solidifying amorphous alloy;heating the charge of the bulk-solidifying amorphous alloy to an injection temperature whereat its viscosity is less than about 102 poise; injecting the charge of heated bulk-solidifying amorphous alloy at the injection temperature into a die-casting mold under pressure; and cooling the charge in the die-casting mold at a cooling rate such that the charge remains amorphous in structure. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification