A20X High Value Large Structure Casting

该提案的实质是引入创新的铝铸造合金和相关的加工技术，用于制造航空航天、汽车和类似行业的先进高应力大型结构。这一创新预计将带来当前制造方法的一步改进，并完全符合TSB的高价值制造战略。资源高效、成本有效的方法将取代昂贵的机器，确保英国在这些重要的全球市场上建立强大的竞争力和可持续的地位。该项目的主要合作伙伴Aeromet International plc开发了一种具有专利的新型铝合金a20x，并对其进行了表征。A20X已经证明了远远超过当今常用高性能合金的特性；也就是说，高各向同性强度，双倍的疲劳寿命和性能，确保完整性的水平，不可能实现使用当前一代合金。这种高价值制造技术的应用得到了寻求减轻重量和降低成本的航空航天和汽车行业领先公司的大力支持。该项目通过开发和评估创新的铸造和铸造后工艺，使用一系列虚拟工具集，通过基于实际应用的测试件验证，开发和降低大型结构制造的风险。实际工作将以基本的冶金特性和模型的开发和验证为基础，以优化液态金属和凝固行为。

The essence of this proposal is to introduce innovative aluminium casting alloys and related processing know-how for the manufacture of advanced highly stressed large structures as found in aerospace, automotive and similar sectors. This innovation is expected to bring about a step improvement from current manufacturing methods and fully aligns with the TSB’s High Value Manufacturing strategy. A resource efficient, cost effective approach will displace expensive machine from solid methods ensuring the UK builds a strong competitive and sustainable position in these important global markets. The approach has been enabled by a patented new aluminium alloy –A20X – which has been developed and characterised by Aeromet International plc, the lead partner in this project. A20X has demonstrated characteristics which are far in excess of today’s commonly used high performance alloys; namely, high isotropic strength, double the fatigue life and properties that ensure levels of integrity not possible to achieve using current generation alloys. Application of this high value manufacturing technology is strongly supported by leading companies in the aerospace and automotive sectors seeking weight and cost reductions. The project sets out to develop and derisk the manufacture of large structures by developing and evaluating innovative casting and post casting processes using a range of virtual toolsets validated by test pieces based on real applications. Practical work will be underpinned by fundamental metallurgical characterisation and development and validation of models to optimise liquid metal and solidification behaviours.