Aluminium casting

[Tigertank]

Hi, does anyone know how what grade of aluminium is best for casting tank tracks? I'm building a large scale model (50% scale)of a King Tiger tank. I'm looking to build the tracks from aluminium. The tank itself will weigh some 5 tons, and each track section will weigh some 4 kg. So I need durability and abrasion resistant castings.

My question therefore is what is the most durable alloy that I can use? I've considered LM6, as this shows good hard-wearing characteristics, but I'd appreciate any informed input.

Thanks.

 

[wchowe]

Why aluminum? I would think this would wear quickly. Did you consider steel plate, with a rubber pad backing?

 

[Tigertank]

Rubber pads will not be prototypical, and would look unusual. The original track was cast steel; consisting of 1x track section made up of a double grouser bars. These were then joined with 1x linkage piece, and 3x pin links.

I'm making a die for the casting, and will be applying centrifugal force to the die. some 800 r.p.m. to ensure collusions etc are removed. Also I'm making pads from polyurethane, which can be easily attatched and removed via utilisation of the slots for track spanning.

This is a very complicated track, and not straightforward at all. However, it's no good building a model if it does'nt look prototypical. At least it's a diversion away from the pumping industry which provides my daily bread....

 

[etch]

Wow my kind of guy, id love to see a picture of this when finished.

Okay LM6 would be okay, but the wear characterisitics are not great. Typically go for an alloy like lm25 and get it heat treated. Sand casting this alloy would be ok and heat treating it will improve the properties considerably.

If you want any more advice on alloys etc i can give you some pointers.

other alloys to consider are piston alloys like LM13, excellent resistance to wear, basically any alloy with a highish content of Magnesium.

lm13 heat treated in the TE state will give a brinell hardness of 90 -130, compared to lm6 of 50-55. lm25 in tf state 90-110 hardness.

id love to see the completed project. if you need any info on casting parts for it let me know.