A Manufacturing Methods and Technology Program--Production Methods for Squeeze Castings.

The objective of this project was to develop manufacturing methods necessary to reduce the high machining cost associated with high-strength castings and forgings currently used in Army missile systems. The project aimed at developing the squeeze casting process for the purpose of 1 lowering the cost of the castings with minimum subsequent machining requirements, 2 casting preforms to replace more costly forged preforms for subsequent shear spinning, and 3 developing the process for a faster production rate of the cast and shear-spun missile components. Squeeze casting is a hybrid of conventional casting and forging techniques and possesses many of the advantages of both techniques. Two PATRIOT missile components were investigated--the forward dome and the case preform. Both components were squeeze cast from D6AC steel.