New solution casts a spell over aluminium testing

Citation

(2003), "New solution casts a spell over aluminium testing", Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, Vol. 75 No. 6. https://doi.org/10.1108/aeat.2003.12775fad.002

New solution casts a spell over aluminium testing

New solution casts a spell over aluminium testing

Keywords: Aluminium, Testing, Software

Lloyd Instruments has been specially chosen by Pechiney, a producer and converter of aluminium, for a pioneering testing solution to examine the strength characteristics of aluminium during casting. For this application, Lloyd Instruments has designed its first ever horizontal LR3OKPlus testing machine, and special software drivers for seamless control of its NEXYGEN test software in a LabVIEW industry platform.

Pechiney specialises in aluminium converting for numerous industries including aerospace. Research and Development at Pechiney CRV SA is investigating how mechanical properties of molten aluminium change during casting and ultimately affect product quality. This involves measuring the rheological and rupture properties during solidification – a process that is completed in only 10min.

The LR3OKPlus, with its 30 kN (6,600l bf) force capacity and 1,000 Hz data sampling rate, offers the level of accuracy required for this rapid testing application. The specially modified horizontal design allows Pechiney to fit a special "bone-shaped" mould with a built-in cooling system so aluminium can be tested soon after it is poured.

On each sample, Pechiney conducts standard peak force and displacement at rupture. Two stages are involved. As the sample solidifies, the machine applies a very low force to compensate for material contraction and shrinkage. At a given temperature, which is measured live, a tensile pull to break is applied. The software automatically triggers the tensile tests as the temperature is read.

Lloyd Instruments developed special LabVIEW software drivers so all the necessary test and analysis functions, from the company's NEXYGEN control software, could be incorporated into the customer's very own LabVIEW industry platform.

Previously, Pechiney CRV SA used a standard 2kN tensile testing system for routine analysis. This new testing capability is now helping the company assess the quality of its products and casting on a scale much greater than before. This is of huge benefit to product development programmes in the automotive, aerospace and other industry areas where critical analysis of metals casting is essential.

Details available from: Lloyd Instruments Ltd. Tel: +44 (0)1489 486399; Fax: +44 (0)1489 885118; E-mail: sharpes@lloyd-instruments.co.uk; Web site: www.lloyd-instruments.co.uk. AMETEK Test and Calibration Instruments Division. Tel: +1 (727) 536 7831 Ext. 3393; Fax: +1 (727) 539 6882 and AMETEK Singapore Pte. Ltd. Tel: +65 6484 2388; Fax: +65 6481 6588.