Objectif An extensive study of the properties of powder metallurgy Al-Si alloys was carried out. The effect of atomization parameters on the power properties, such as their compressibility, were highlighted. We studied the relation between processing parameters as lubrication route (wax addition or die wall lubrication), dewaxing, preheating and forging temperature, which contributed to optimizing the densification parameters for this kind of alloys and powder characteristics. Mechanical properties were determined by tensile and fatigue testing. The results obtained are consistent with other published research work. Unfortunately, we obtained lower values for fatigue tests than expected, due to an unwanted contamination of the original powders by pure Al particles decreasing the fatigue properties. Furthermore, we can note the low toughness of these materials, which has to be accounted (7.0 Mpa m) for while designing structural parts as con-rods. An interesting result concerns the study of tribological behaviour of Al-17Si-5Fe-3.5Vu-1.1Mg-0.6Zr B alloy. This material exhibits very good wear and friction behaviour when in contact with steel, even very hard steel (667 HV). This result can be exploited for further applications. With regards to the component developed throughout this project, further forging tests would be necessary to perfect the development of the direct forged Al powder metallurgy connecting-rod using industrial equipment. At the present time, a new code has been developed in order to facilitate the tool design and to predict the densification of such components produced from powders. This code is a 3D compressible viscoplastic version of Forge3 taking into account the thermal coupling and will soon be launched on the market. The simulation of price for such a component leads to an average value of 5.2 ECU, which is higher than conventional steel products but could be considered with the need of fuel consumption reduction of future cars. This price simulation means that only the holes of the big and small ends and the faces are machined after forging.This project covers several aspects from the characterization of powder metallurgy (PM) aluminium alloys, the modelling and tools development of a cost-effective shaping process (direct powder forging), to the production of automotive components and their testing.Direct powder forging of Al high performance alloys offers interesting perspectives for developing low weight automotive components through a combination of the advantages of Al-Si-XPM materials (high strength, low thermal expansion, wear resistance) with the benefits of PM processing, this is net-shaping (high materials yield, reduced processing and machining steps). The implementation of advanced Al PM components engines can reduce the weight of present cast moving parts and thus reduce the polluting emissions of engines. In regard to cast components, significant weight reductions (minimum 30%) and new design are expected for Al automotive components.The first stage of our work will consist in characterizing the microstructural, physical and mechanical properties of the Al-Si-XPM alloys investigated in this project (material development).The second and third stages will be optimization of the part geometry, modelling and optimization of the forging parameters (direct powder forging), tool design (processing development), and production of parts for mechanical and engine testing (component development). Cost evaluation for a series production will be considered. Champ scientifique ingénierie et technologiegénie mécaniquetribologielubrificationingénierie et technologiegénie mécaniqueingénierie de fabricationfabrication soustractivesciences naturellessciences chimiqueschimie inorganiquemétal pauvreingénierie et technologiegénie de l'environnementénergie et combustiblesingénierie et technologieingénierie des materiauxmétallurgie Programme(s) FP3-BRITE/EURAM 2 - Specific programme (EEC) of research and technological development in the field of industrial and materials technologies, 1990-1994 Thème(s) 1.3.1 - Metals and metal matrix composites Appel à propositions Data not available Régime de financement CSC - Cost-sharing contracts Coordinateur Renault Adresse 8-10 avenue émile zola 92109 Boulogne-billancourt France Voir sur la carte Contribution de l’UE Aucune donnée Participants (4) Trier par ordre alphabétique Trier par contribution de l’UE Tout développer Tout réduire ASSOCIATION POUR LA RECHERCHE ET LE DEVELOPPEMENT DES METHODES ET PROCESSUS INDUSTRIELS France Contribution de l’UE € 0,00 Adresse Avenue claude daunesse cnrs ura 1374 06565 Valbonne Voir sur la carte Autres sources de financement Aucune donnée KUL Belgique Contribution de l’UE € 0,00 Adresse De croylaan, 2 3001 Leuven Voir sur la carte Autres sources de financement Aucune donnée LABO NAC DE ENGENHARIA E TECNOLOGIA IN Portugal Contribution de l’UE € 0,00 Adresse Lumiar 1699 Lisboa Voir sur la carte Autres sources de financement Aucune donnée PEAK WERKSTOFF GMBH Allemagne Contribution de l’UE € 0,00 Adresse Siebeneicker straße 235 5620 Velbert Voir sur la carte Autres sources de financement Aucune donnée
