It is critical to maintain fiber length during processing to obtain the unique properties of high strength and outstanding impact resistance. C.W. Ohio, a supplier of residential railing systems in Conneaut, Ohio, is using VHME to exploit the material's strength and rot resistance. A large manufacturer of commercial refrigeration systems is also incorporating VHME in a corner support to hold glass in an assembly. The new material was chosen because it offered low thermal conductivity and sufficient strength. Besides being impervious to rot, the advanced material improved the system's thermal performance and cut subfloor weight by 400 pounds.
Stiffness is equal to that of the earlier knuckle.
Engineers used finite-element analysis to optimize the strength and stiffness properties of squeeze casting. The aluminum front knuckle is the first high-volume structural application of squeeze casting in North America. Forging was considered for the production of this component but was ruled out when weight and design limitations could not accommodate the desired part features and geometry. Fired-part accuracies are quoted at 0.3 percent. An exploratory pilot program has been launched to develop a core group of end users from industries including automotive, aerospace, and medical instruments.