Quick Reference Guide

Visit our FAQ page for additional information, learn more about our Casting Capabilities or Contact a Pentz representative for any inquiries you might have and we will be happy to help with your casting needs.

Aluminum Alloys and Selection

An aluminum alloy is created by adding copper, magnesium, zinc, silicon and/or other elements to pure aluminum to radically improve the mechanical properties, castability, strength to weight ratio and other performance characteristics of aluminum. Chemical composition and mechanical property limits for commonly used alloys can be found in our Alloy Selection Guide. Popular heat-treated aluminum alloys include:

• 535 AlMag
• A356 alloy
• 357 alloy
• 206 alloy
• Alcoa 351 SuperaCast 
• Alcoa A354 VersaCast

Considerations When Selecting an Alloy for Castings

Each alloy has been developed to provide specific properties for various applications. Some of the more important considerations for selecting an alloy are castability, machinability, weldability, finishing, pressure tightness, vacuum tightness, strength and corrosion resistance. We can prototype parts machined from solid aluminum, iron or plastic.

Pentz assists its customers with selecting the best alloy for their application. Please contact a Pentz casting engineer for help or with any questions about the best alloy for your needs.

Typical Heat Treat Designators for Temper

Many aluminum alloys require heat treatment to temper them sufficiently to reach their desired physical properties and required hardness. Commonly used designators for heat treat/tempered aluminum castings include:

• (F) As-Cast - Is a casting cooled naturally at room temperature without subsequent heat treating. The temper designation for castings with no heat
  treatment is (F).
• (T5) Naturally cooled from the mold and then artificially aged to attain improved mechanical properties and dimensional stability.
• (T6) Solution heat treated and artificially aged to attain optimum mechanical properties and generally good dimensional stability.

View our table on Typical Minimum Mechanical Properties of A356 and 535 Alloys (Green Sand Molding) with F, T5 and T6 heat treatments.

Rotary Degassing & Heat Treatment Casting Services

Rotary degassing is an efficient nonpolluting process for removing hydrogen gas (degassing) from molten aluminum alloys using nitrogen as a scrubber. Hydrogen gas must be removed from the alloy to eliminate porosity in the metal and thereby improve the overall strength of the casting. All our treated aluminum castings are rotary degassed and flux injected to ensure extremely low oxides, hydrogen porosity and higher strength alloys in all molten metal prior to creating castings. Our Heat Treatment Services page provides more detailed information about our rotary degassing and metal treatment services.

Flux Injection & Metal Processing Quality Control

Flux injection is used to accelerate rotary degassing. It removes oxides, cleans and purifies molten metal, lowers the temperature of the pour and adds density and strength to the finished casting. Our skilled machinists can use flux injectors to specifically target areas in the casting to improve the overall quality of the metal or casting. Learn more about our casting development process or our quality assurance and inspection processes for more info on why Pentz sets the industry standard for castings.

Specific Gravity Testing

A standardized specific gravity test method to measure and ensure oxides and gas are removed from metal before it is poured. This ensures higher quality castings that can hold up to your application requirements.

Real-Time Casting X-ray Services

Our nondestructive test (NDT) utilizes an X-ray device in real time to detect defects such as shrinking, porosity, cracks and foreign material inside castings. No expensive films or toxic chemicals are needed. Learn more about Pentz Real-time X-ray equipment by visiting our Value Added page in addition to our aftermarket solutions, including:

• Light Assembly
• Kanban services
• Insert installation PEM
• Contract manufacturing

 

Note: Each section contains information about specific subjects or terms as they apply to Pentz Cast Solutions. The Guide is as accurate as possible; however, all material is provided without warranty of any kind.

Casting Treating Services

Our selection of chemical treatment, coating and anodizing services add longevity to your castings. These treatment services are performed with the highest quality equipment to ensure your castings hold up to your application needs. Our HIP services offer an excellent method of reducing porosity for higher-strength castings. Different casting treatment services include:

• Chemical Treat - Clear and yellow chromate
• Anodizing - Clear, hard, colors
• Coatings - Wet paint and powder coat
• Hot Isostatic Pressing (HIP or hipping)

 

 

Contact Pentz for Casting Services

Call 1-425-788-6490, contact a Pentz Cast Solutions Sales Engineer or Representative online by filling out this form or Request a quote on our services today!