LM 24 is an aluminum casting alloy with excellent castability and good mechanical properties. It is also known as A356 in the United States and AC4CH in Europe. Here’s some more information about LM 24:
LM 24 Composition:
- Copper: 3.0-4.0
- Magnesium: 0.3 max
- Silicon: 7.5-9.5 max
- Iron: 1.3 max
- Manganese: 0.5 max
- Nickel: 0.5 max
- Zinc: 3.0 max
- Lead: 0.3 max
- Tin: 0.2 max
- Titanium: 0.2 max
- Aluminium Remainder Others: each 0.50 max
LM 24 Properties:
- Density: 2.68 g/cm³
- Melting point: 557-582°C
- Tensile strength: 228 MPa
- Yield strength: 162 MPa
- Elongation: 3%
LM 24 Applications:
- LM 24 is used in a wide range of applications, including automotive and aerospace components, marine hardware, and various consumer products.
- It is particularly suited for components that require good strength, ductility, and corrosion resistance, such as engine blocks, cylinder heads, and transmission cases.
- It is also used in the production of intricate and complex shapes, due to its excellent castability.
LM 24 has many advantages over other casting alloys, including high strength, good corrosion resistance, and excellent castability. Its mechanical properties can be further improved through heat treatment, making it a popular choice for many applications.
Some additional details about LM 24 alloy:
Advantages:
- Good weldability and machinability
- Good thermal conductivity
- Excellent corrosion resistance, particularly in marine environments
- Good dimensional stability and low shrinkage during solidification
- Good surface finish and castability, allowing for complex shapes to be produced
Disadvantages:
- LM 24 is more expensive than some other casting alloys due to its higher silicon content and the need for more stringent process controls.
- It can be susceptible to hot cracking, particularly in thicker sections.
Applications:
- LM 24 is commonly used in automotive components such as engine blocks, cylinder heads, and transmission cases due to its excellent mechanical properties and corrosion resistance.
- It is also used in the marine industry for components such as propellers, pumps, and fittings.
- LM 24 can also be found in the aerospace industry for aircraft parts that require high strength and corrosion resistance.
- Other applications include consumer products such as kitchenware, sports equipment, and musical instruments.
LM 24 Heat treatment:
- LM 24 can be heat treated to further improve its mechanical properties.
- The most common heat treatment for LM 24 is T6, which involves solutionizing at 540°C for 6 hours, followed by quenching in water or polymer, and aging at 170°C for 8 hours.
- T6 heat treatment can increase the tensile strength and yield strength of LM 24 by up to 30%.
Overall, LM 24 is a versatile casting alloy with a wide range of applications due to its excellent mechanical properties, corrosion resistance, and castability. Its ability to be heat treated allows for further improvements in strength, making it a popular choice in many industries.
