Analysis and Optimization on the Gating System of Aluminum Alloy Piston in Casting

Shrinkage porosity defects occurring in ring groove underside the pin hole of aluminum piston are strongly influenced by the time-varying temperature profiles inside the solidifying casting. By adopting the finite element analysis software PROCAST and combining with production practice, the gating system which has open-cycle ring feeding channel in the bottom of the piston was compared with conventional techniques; the influence of opening angle of ring feeding channel and different process parameters on shrinkage distribution was researched. The results show the gating system with open-cycle ring feeding channel can satisfy progressive solidification and effectively eliminate the shrinkage in ring groove underside piston pin hole, and can greatly reduce the riser size and improve casting yield; the opening angle influences shrinkage distribution and can be adjusted to achieve effective feeding; shrinkage size is influenced by pouring temperature and casting speed which have less effect on shrinkage distribution. The system of ring feeding channel is adopted, the opening angle and process parameters are adjusted, all which can effectively eliminate shrinkage in the bottom of the piston, improve casting yield and process rate.