Manufacture technique of semi-solid slurry of hypoeutectic Al-Si alloy by low superheat pouring and weak electromagnetic stirring

Semi-solid metal (SSM) process is a relatively new technology that offers distinct advantages over other near-net-shape casting processes, such as a more homogeneous microstructure, less porosity and segregation, and improved mechanical properties1-3]. SSM can be divided into thixoforming and rheoforming, in which rheoforming is usually advantageous from the point of view of an energy and cost saving when compared with thixoforming, so rheoforming has been paid attention again by engineers i…

Manufacture technique of semi-solid slurry of hypoeutectic Al-Si alloy by low superheat pouring and weak electromagnetic stirring

The semi-solid slurry of hypoeutectic Al-Si alloy was manufactured by low superheat pouring and weak electromagnetic stirring. The effects of pouring temperature and stirring power on the semi-solid slurry making process were investigated. The results indicate that the semi-solid slurry to satisfy rheocasting requirement can be made by a combination of low superheat pouring and weak electromagnetic stirring. The pouring temperature (or superheat) and the stirring power significantly affect the morphology and the size of primary α-Al, while there is no obvious effect of the stirring time on primary α-Al. Compared with the samples made by low superheat pouring without stirring, the nucleation rate,particle morphology and grain size of primary α-Al in A356 Al alloy are markedly improved by a process of applying both low superheat pouring and weak electromagnetic stirring. Under the condition of weak electromagnetic stirring applied, the pouring temperature with low superheat can be equivalerttly to reach the effectiveness obtained from the even lower pouring temperature without stirring.