• Journal of Korea Foundry Society
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.40-46
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• 2003

Semisolid forming requires alloys with non-dendritic microstructure of the thixotropy. Recently, low pouring temperture method without stirring, i.e. liquidus casting has been found out new fabrication method of the semisolid metals. Effects of melt superheat and mold conditions on the globulization of primary Al of $AlSi_7Mg$ alloy were investigated in gravity casting process without stirring. The microstructures of primary Al as function of melt superheat and mold temperature show globular, rosette and dendritic shapes. The conditions for globular microstructure of primary Al were low melt superheat < 35 K and low mold temperature < 500 K. The thermal conditions for globular microstructure of primary Al were undercooled melt at early solidification stages and slow cooling < 0.6 K/s. It was found that the initial microstructure was maintained throughout the solidification and the globules of primary Al can be obtained by high nucleation of fine and spherical nuclei due to enhanced undercooling of melt.