• Transactions of Materials Processing
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• v.8 no.5
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• pp.437-448
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• 1999

The reheating of the billet in the semi-solid state as quickly and homogeneously as possible is one of the most imposrtant parts. To obtain a fine globular microstructure in cross section of billet, the optimal design of the induction coil for variation of alloys and specimen sizes is necessary. For the thixo-forging process the construction of the reheating data base is very important, because the reheating conditions are different for variation of SSM and billet sizes. So in this study, the optimal coil design of A356 (ALTHIX) and Aι2024 with d×ι=60×90 (mm) to obtain the globular microstructure is theoretically proposed. The suitability of an optimal coil design will be demonstrated by reheating experiments. Finally, the thixoformability of an arbitrarily shaped product is evaluated by its forming variables. The defects and mechanical properties are also investigated.

• Transactions of Materials Processing
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.188-199
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• 1999

Semi-Solid Forming Process(Thixoforming, Rheocasting) is a novel forming process which has some advantages compared with conventional die casting, squeeze casting and hot/cold forging. In this study. Thixoforming process was selected as analysis processing in terms of billet handling and easiness of automation process. The Thixoforming process consists of reheating process of billet, billet handling, filling inot the die cavity and solidification of SSM part. In filling process, two rheology models which were Newtonian and Non-Nettonian model (Ostwald-deWaele)were verified with experimental results. The Ostwald-deWaele model shows the good agreement to the real flow and filling phenomena in die cavity. To give a boost the economical efficiency of Thixoforming process and to ensure the good forming result, reheating device coupled die set was proposed and the initial billet temperature for system that was found from experimental resluts. This study presents an overview of application of numerical analysis for simulation of semi-solid metal forming process to reduce the lead time for development of manufacturing part in industrial field.

• Transactions of Materials Processing
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.215-224
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• 1998

A semi-solid forming has a lot of advantages compared to the die casting. squeeze casting and conventional forging. therefore, semi-solid forming process is now becoming industrial interest for the production of metal components and metal matrix composites. However the material behaviour in the semi-solid temperature range is not sufficiently known although it controls the whole process through forces and geometry evolutions because the behaviour of metal slurries is complex. The semi-solid materials(SSMs) fabricated under electric-magnetic stirring condition is necessary to be applicated in forming process. A reheating conditions were studied with the reheating time holding time and reheating temperatures. The microstructure of SSM(specimen size : d39${\times}$h85) at the condition of heating time 10min and heating temperature 590${\circ}C$ is the most globular and finest one. The microstructure of SSM(specimen size : d76${\times}$h60) reheated under the three step reheating conditions is most globular and finest.

• Journal of Korea Foundry Society
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.87-93
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• 2014

Thixo-extrusion of semi-solid 7075 aluminum alloy and the mechanical properties of its extrudates were investigated. The semisolid alloy was prepared by a cooling slope cast. In other to perform thixo-extrusion, semi-solid 7075 aluminum alloy billets were reheated at the reheating conditions reported in a previous study. The maximum extrusion pressure in thixo-extrusion was 615MPa. This was lower than that of conventional hot extrusion ($P_{max}=940MPa$) at the same extrusion conditions due to the increased fluidity of the alloy billet in the semi-solid state. The values of Rockwell hardness (scale B) at the extrusion direction of the as thixoextruded bar were 48~53HRB and the difference in Rockwell hardness between the transverse direction and the extrusion direction was 5HRB or less. The results show that thxio-extrusion of semi-solid 7075 Al alloy improves the workability and anisotropic with the extrusion direction compared with hot extrusion of the conventional alloy.

• Journal of Korea Foundry Society
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.38-44
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• 2017

Given that the conventional extrusion of high-strength Al alloys such as 7075 aluminum alloys is difficult due to their very low extrudability as compared to that of 6061 aluminum alloys, thixo-extrusion can be used to obtain a high-strength material easily at a lower extrusion pressure as compared to conventional extrusion. In this study, hot- and thixo-extruded 7075 aluminum alloys are prepared by a vertical forward extrusion process and their microstructures, hardness levels, and compressive properties are investigated. Hot-extruded alloy bars are assessed to obtain a microstructure elongated in the extrusion direction, whereas with thixo-extruded alloy bars, it was possible to obtain a microstructure having fine and equiaxed grains by dynamic recrystallization. The resulting isotropy and improved formability at the hot deformation temperature of the thixo-extruded alloy were attributed to the fine and equiaxed grains formed by the thixo-extrusion process.

• Transactions of Materials Processing
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.239-249
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• 1997

The behaviour of alloys in the semi-solid state strongly depends on the imposed stress state and on the morphology of the phase which can vary from dendritic to globular. To optimal net shape forging of semi-solid materials, it is important to investigate for filling phenomena in forging process of arbitrarily shaped dies. To produce a automotive part which has good mechanical property, the filling pattern according to die velocity and solid fraction distribution has to be estimated for arbitrarily shaped dies. Therefore, the estimation of filling characteristic in the forging simulation with arbitrarily shaped dies of semi-solid materials are calculated by finite element method with proposed algorithm. The proposed theoretical model and a various boundary conditions for arbitrarily shaped dies is investigated with the coupling calculation between the liquid phase flow and the solid phase deformation. The simulation process with arbitrarily shaped dies is performed to the isothermal conditions of two dimensional problems. To analysis of forging process by using semi-solid materials, a new stress-strain relationship is described, and forging analysis is performed by viscoelastic model for the solid phase and the Darcy's law for the liquid flow. The calculated results for forging force and filling limitations will be compared to experimental data. The filling simulation of simple products performed with the uniform billet temperature(584$^{\circ}C$) from the induction heating by the commercial package MAGMAsoft. The initial step of computation is the touching of semi-solid material with the end of die gate and the initial concept of proposed system just fit with the capability of MAGMAsoft.