Abstract
In this study, the casting/forging process was applied in manufacturing a low control arm, in order to prove that application of casting/forging process to Al6061 is likely to get the effect of light weight compared with existing steel products and to reduce the cost of materials. Firstly, In order to set up the optimum casting condition of the forging material, Al6061, casting experiments were carried out by controlling pouring temperature of the aluminum for casting, mold temperature, and pouring time. $700^{\circ}C$ pouring temperature, $300^{\circ}C$ mold temperature and 10-second pouring time were taken into account as the optimum casting conditions. With respect to a hot forging test, it is practiced on the basis of a temperature of materials, strain rate, and reduction rate so as to observe each microstructure and examine strain-stress curve simultaneously; examine tensile test and hardness test; eventually set up the optimum hot forging condition. A hot forging test, tensile test, hardness experiment, and microstructure observation were carried out on condition of $70\%$ reduction rate, $500^{\circ}C$ temperature of materials, and 1 strain rate. As a result of those experiments, 330MPa tensile strength, $16.4\%$ elongation, and 122.8Hv hardness were recorded. In oder to get a sound preform which has no unfitting cavity and less flash, two preforms were proposed on the basis of volume rate of the final product; the optimum volume rate of preform for the low control arm was $115\%$. In conclusion, it is confirmed that using the forging material rather than casting materials in casting/forging process is likely to get more superior mechanical properties. Compared with Al6061, performed by means of general forging, moreover, cast/forged Al6061 can not only stimulate productivity by reducing production processes, but cut down the cost of materials by reusing forging scraps.
