Semisolid metal injection molding machine components

Abstract

The present invention provides an alloy for components of semi-solid injection molding machinery. In particular, the alloy is a intermetallic-hardened steel, known as a Maraging steel alloy. The Maraging steel alloy includes Cr, Co, Mo, and about 0.15% or less by weight C.

1 . A semi-solid injection molding machine, comprising: 
 a plurality of components defining a flowpath through the machine for a feedstock, at least one of the plurality of components being constructed of a martensitic Maraging steel alloy material Including Cr, Co, Mo, and about 0.15% or less by weight C.    
   
   
       2 . The machine of  claim 1  wherein the Maraging steel alloy includes between about 9 and 16% by weight Cr.  
   
   
       3 . The machine of  claim 2  wherein the Maraging steel alloy includes between about 12 and 15% by weight Cr.  
   
   
       4 . The machine of  claim 1  wherein the Maraging steel alloy includes between 9 and 20% by weight Co.  
   
   
       5 . The machine of  claim 4  wherein the Maraging steel alloy includes between about 10 and 14% by weight Co.  
   
   
       6 . A semi-solid injection molding machine, comprising: 
 a plurality of components defining a flowpath through the machine for a feedstock, at least one of the plurality of components being constructed of a martensitic Maraging steel alloy material including Cr, Co, Mo, and about 0.15% or less by weight C. wherein the Maraging steel alloy includes Mo in the range of about 2.9 and about 6% by weight Mo.    
   
   
       7 . The machine of  claim 6  wherein the Maraging steel alloy includes Mo in the range of about 4 and 5.5% by weight.  
   
   
       8 . The machine of  claim 1  wherein the Maraging steel alloy has an austenite state at about  1500 - 1900  ° F.  
   
   
       9 . The machine of  claim 8  wherein the Maraging steel alloy martensite ages at between about 900 and 1200° F.  
   
   
       10 . The machine of  claim 1  wherein the Maraging steel alloy has a hardness of about 40-50 Rc.  
   
   
       11 . A semi-solid injection molding machine comprising: 
 a barrel which receives feedstock and heats the feedstock;    a nozzle from which feedstock in a semi-solid state is ejected;    means for advancing the feedstock within the barrel;    means for subjecting the feedstock to shear;    means for ejecting feedstock from the nozzle;    wherein one of barrel, nozzle, means for advancing, means for subjecting, and means for ejecting are constructed of a martensitic Maraging steel alloy material including Cr, Co, Mo, and about 0.15% or less by weight C.    
   
   
       12 . The injection molding machine of claim,  11  wherein the Maraging steel alloy includes between about 9 and 16% by weight Cr.  
   
   
       13 . The Injection molding machine of  claim 12  wherein the Maraging steel alloy includes between about 12 and 15% by weight Cr.  
   
   
       14 . The injection molding machine of  claim 11  wherein the Maraging steel alloy includes between 9 and 20% by weight Co.  
   
   
       15 . The injection molding machine of  claim 14  wherein the Maraging steel alloy includes between about 10 and 14% by weight Co.  
   
   
       16 . A semi-solid injection molding machine comprising: 
 a barrel which receives feedstock and heats the feedstock;    a nozzle from which feedstock in a semi-solid state is ejected;    means for advancing the feedstock within the barrel;    means for subjecting the feedstock to shear;    means for ejecting feedstock from the nozzle;    wherein one of barrel, nozzle, means for advancing, means for subjecting, and means for ejecting are constructed of a martensitic Maraging steel alloy material including Cr, Co, Mo, and about 0.15% or less bv weight C wherein the Maraging steel alloy includes Mo in the range of about 2.9 and about 6% by weight.    
   
   
       17 . The injection molding machine of  claim 16  wherein the Maraging steel alloy includes Mo in the range of about 4 and about 5.5% by weight.  
   
   
       18 . The Injection molding machine of  claim 1  wherein the Maraging steel alloy has an austenite state at about 1500-1900° F.  
   
   
       19 . The injection molding machine of  claim 18  wherein the Maraging steel alloy martensite ages at between about 900 and 1200° F.  
   
   
       20 . The injection molding machine of  claim 1  wherein the components are formed by all-liquid injection molding.  
   
   
       21 . The injection molding machine of  claim 1  wherein the components are formed by die casting.  
   
   
       22 . The injection molding machine of  claim 1  wherein the components are heat treated.  
   
   
       23 . The injection molding machine of  claim 22  wherein the heat treatment is stabilizing heat treatment.  
   
   
       24 . The injection molding machine of  claim 22  wherein the heat treatment is regenerating heat treatment.  
   
   
       25 . A semi-solid injection molding machine comprising; 
 a plurality of components defining a flowpath through the machine for a feedstock, at least one of the plurality of components being constructed of a martensitic Maraging steel alloy material including Cr, Co, Mo, about 0.15% or less by weight C and about 8% or less by weight Ni.