Abstract
In this study aluminum casting experiments are carried out to reduce the grain size of a cast preform and to spheriodize its dendritic structure by adding Ti+B and Zr and to modify flaked eutectic silicon by adding Sr, And a finite element simulation is performed to determine an optimal configuration of the cast preform to be used in forging of a compressor piston for an automobile air-conditioner. When 0.15% Ti+B Zr and 0.05% Sr are added respectively into the molten aluminum alloy the finest grain in casting of the preform is obtained. It is confirmed that the optimal configuration of the cast preform predicted by FEM simulation is very useful for forging the compressor piston. After forging the cast preform of the compressor piston. the microstructure and the hardness of the cast preform is compared with those of the cast/forged product.