Aluminum Die Casting Alloy

Abstract

Aluminum die casting alloy comprising 2 to 6% by weight nickel, 0.1 to 0.4% by weight zirconium, 0.1 to 0.4% by weight vanadium, optionally up to 5% by weight manganese, optionally up to 2% by weight iron, optionally up to 1% by weight titanium, optionally total max. 5% by weight transition elements including scandium, lanthanum, yttrium, hafnium, niobium, tantalum, chromium and/or molybdenum, and aluminum as the remainder with further elements and impurities due to production total max. 1% by weight.

1 - 11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . An aluminum die casting alloy comprising:
 2 to 6% by weight nickel,   0.1 to 0.4% by weight zirconium,   0.1 to 0.4% by weight vanadium,   optionally up to 5% by weight manganese,   optionally up to 2% by weight iron,   optionally up to 1% by weight titanium, and   and aluminum as the remainder with impurities due to production total max 1% by weight.   
     
     
         13 . The aluminum die casting alloy according to  claim 12 , comprising 4 to 6% by weight nickel. 
     
     
         14 . The aluminum die casting alloy according to  claim 12 , comprising 0.1 to 0.3% by weight zirconium. 
     
     
         15 . The aluminum die casting alloy according to  claim 12 , comprising 0.3 to 0.4% by weight vanadium. 
     
     
         16 . The aluminum die casting alloy according to  claim 12 , further comprising:
 up to 2% by weight hafnium,   up to 2% by weight magnesium,   up to 1% by weight chromium,   up to 1% by weight molybdenum,   up to 0.5% by weight silicon,   up to 0.5% by weight copper, and   up to 0.5% by weight zinc.   
     
     
         17 . The aluminum die casting alloy according to  claim 12 , including substantially uniformly dispersed particles of Al 3 Zr x V 1-x , where x is a fraction of unity that depends on the ratio of Zr:V in the alloy, the particles having an equivalent diameter of less than about 50 nm. 
     
     
         18 . The aluminum die casting of Al 3 Zr x V 1-x  alloy according to  claim 17 , where the particles have an equivalent diameter of less than about 30 nm. 
     
     
         19 . The aluminum die casting alloy according to  claim 12 , including particles of Al 3 Ni having an equivalent diameter of less than about 500 nm. 
     
     
         20 . The aluminum die casting of Al 3 Zr x V 1-x  alloy according to  claim 19 , wherein the particles of Al 3 Ni have an equivalent diameter of less than 300 nm. 
     
     
         21 . The aluminum die casting of Al 3 Zr x V 1-x  alloy according to  claim 19 , wherein the particles of Al 3 Ni have an equivalent diameter of less than 100 nm. 
     
     
         22 . The aluminum die casting alloy according to  claim 12 , including substantially uniformly dispersed particles of manganese aluminide having an equivalent diameter of less than about 50 nm. 
     
     
         23 . The aluminum die casting alloy according to  claim 12 , including substantially uniformly dispersed particles of manganese aluminide having an equivalent diameter of less than about 30 nm. 
     
     
         24 . The aluminum die casting alloy according to  claim 12 , including substantially uniformly dispersed particles of iron aluminide having an equivalent diameter of less than about 50 nm. 
     
     
         25 . The aluminum die casting alloy according to  claim 12 , including substantially uniformly dispersed particles of iron aluminide having an equivalent diameter of less than about 30 nm. 
     
     
         26 . A die-cast component made from the aluminum alloy according to  claim 12 . 
     
     
         27 . A method of producing a die-cast component made from the aluminum alloy according to  claim 12 , wherein the alloy is age-hardened by holding the solidified die-cast component at a temperature of 250° C. to 350° C. for 2 to 6 hours followed by holding it at a temperature of 350° C. to 450° C. for 2 to 6 hours.