The Effect of Alloying Elements on Thermal Conductivity of Aluminum Alloys in High Pressure Die Casting

Recently, demand of aluminum alloys for manufacturing in components with high thermal conductivity application increases. However, the most aluminum die casting alloys exhibit very lower thermal properties, about only a half of pure aluminum. In die casting alloys, alloying elements are essential to obtain sufficient fluidity and mechanical strength, therefore, in this study, the effect of alloying elements, Si, Cu, Mg, Fe and Mn, on thermal conductivity, die casting characteristics and mechanical properties were analyzed and the appropriate amount of each alloying element were investigated. The results showed that Mn had the most deleterious effect in thermal conductivity and Si and Fe contents were important to improve fluidity and strength. The alloy with 1.5~2.0wt.%Si and 0.6wt.%Fe showed very good combination of high thermal conductivity and sufficient casting characteristics.