Surface Engineering of Die Surfaces: PERFORMANCE EVALUATION AND CHARACTERISATION OF PHYSICAL VAPOUR DEPOSITION (PVD) COATINGS

High Pressure Die Casting of aluminium alloys is a technology of critical importance to Australias? global competitiveness in the light metals industry. Its productivity, however, was severely impaired by the rapid degradation of die steels when they encountered molten aluminium entering the die under extreme conditions of high melt velocity and the rapid thermal shock on cooling. The research conducted in this book identified for the first time the benefits of applying advanced plasma- based surface engineering technologies to the treatment of die surfaces. Industrial plant trials proved the success of the innovation which led, through technology transfer, to significant productivity gains.