Development of casting – forging/welding processes for high strength non heat treatable aluminum alloy

PROJECT COST:

168 557 $

PRIMA CONTRIBUTION:

54 057 $

PROJECT DETAILS:

Al-Mg (5XX) alloys containing beryllium (Be) should be avoided due to the risk of beryllium corrosion. While used in marine applications, they are corrosion-resistant in marine environments and reach their maximum strength without heat treatment. This magnesium-enriched alloy family oxidizes easily and generates undesirable inclusions. Adding beryllium prevents oxidation, however, its use is restricted due to its toxicity. ECO-Almag, without beryllium, allows for the casting of 5XX alloy parts without oxidation. Al-Mg alloys are also 10% lighter than other aluminum alloys.Furthermore, like Al-Cu alloys, magnesium-rich alloys are prone to hot cracking.

This collaborative project between CMQ and KITECH aims to transform a high-strength, non-heat-treatable aluminum alloy into castings for the automotive and telecommunications industries. They will be working with a non-toxic aluminum that is even lighter than conventional aluminum. This technology will become established in the national and international market for Al-Mg alloy castings and will eventually replace other aluminum alloys. It offers the potential to reduce costs and greenhouse gas emissions by eliminating the heat treatment step in the traditional manufacturing process for aluminum alloys. This international collaboration between Quebec and Korea will allow the partner companies, TMA and Mi-Kwang Metals, to market transformation processes specific to ECO Almag. Furthermore, the project will contribute to the training of two college students in Quebec and two students in Korea.