Effect of Fluidized Bed Processing on Performance of 354 Aluminum Compressor Wheels Produced by Counter-Gravity Casting

The cast Al–Si–Cu–Mg alloy 354 is used for the production of critical components for the automotive sector, such as the compressor wheel for the turbocharger. With steady improvements taking place in the design of automotive engines, increasing demands are being placed on the performance of the compressor wheel castings. Making advancements in technology of production of the alloy castings has hence been the subject of many researches. This paper examines the effect of fluidized bed (FB) processing on the behavior of the castings under cyclic loading conditions. FB treatment was found to result in fatigue life close to that obtained after conventional heat treatment, but with major savings in the total heat treatment time.