• Journal of Korea Foundry Society
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• v.30 no.6
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• pp.210-216
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• 2010

The aim of this study is to characterize a thixoextruded 7075 Al wrought alloy bar in terms of its isotropic behavior through the optical microscope, mechanical test and electron back scattered diffraction. It is also discussed of the extrudability improvement for 7075 Al wrought alloy by thixoextrusion, with emphasis on controlling thixoextrusion parameters. Hot extrusion shows that the maximum extrusion pressure depends on their characteristics in terms of flow stress and hot workability. In the contrary, thixoextrusion demonstrates that the maximum extrusion pressure is almost uniform regardless of the experimental parameters, such as initial ram speed, die bearing length and thixoextrusion temperature. The hot extruded microstructures become elongated to extrusion direction, while the thixoextruded microstructures are isotropic and homogeneously distributed due to the existence of liquid phase between solid grains during the process. The grain refinement due to dynamic recrystallization during thixoextrusion has been also occurred. Subsequent recrystallization would lead to the strengthening of mechanical properties, as observed in the study. The important point is that the values of tensile, yield strength and elongation of the thixoextruded bar without plastic deformation are similar to those of the hot extruded bar with severe plastic deformation.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society for Technology of Plasticity Conference
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• 2009.05a
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• pp.227-230
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• 2009

The aim of this study was to improve extrudability limit, eliminate welding line and obtain optimum thixoextrusion conditions for manufacturing tubes of 7075 Al wrought alloy. By thixoextrusion, it was possible to improve deformability, control isotropy with extrusion direction, eliminate welding line (seamless) and save cost due to low energy consumption compared with conventional extrusion processes. The welded part was not observed at the welding line area. The grains of thixoextruded tube were homogeneously distributed and equiaxed grains were observed. Therefore, thixoextrusion is the most effective variable for the control of the magnitude of the welding line.

• Journal of Korea Foundry Society
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• v.25 no.6
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• pp.249-253
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• 2005

The present study focuses on 7075 aluminum wrought alloy to investigate the potential industrial applications of thixoextrusion process. The microstructural evolution of 7075 aluminum wrought alloy for thixoextrusion has been investigated as a function of isothermal holding temperature and time in the partially remelted semisolid state. The results showed that the liquid fraction increased with increasing isothermal holding temperature and time while the average grain size was inversely proportional to isothermal holding temperature and time up to 5min. However, there was no big change of liquid fraction and average grain size with respect to isothermal holding temperature and time. The important fact that the liquid fraction and average grain size were almost uniform after 5 min holding time is considered very useful for thixoextrusion in terms of process control.

• Journal of Korea Foundry Society
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.217-221
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• 2006

The main emphasis of this study was to utilize thixoextrusion process for improving extrudability of 7075, 7003 Al wrought alloys and AZ31 Mg wrought alloy. The results of thixbextrusion experiments about microstructures and extrusion pressures were compared with conventional hot extrusion results. The maximum extrusion pressure of thixoextrusion was greatly decreased compared with that of conventional hot extrusion. It was pointed out that the extrusion temperature dependence of the maximum extrusion pressure was large and the influence of extrusion temperature on the improvement of extrudability was remarkable in thixoextrusion. This will contribute to extrudability in terms of extrusion pressure, which in turn means that shorter process time is required and smaller extrusion machine can be applied for the same operation. The elongated grains to extrusion direction were generally observed during conventional hot extrusion, while the thixoextruded microstructures were isotropic.

• Journal of Korea Foundry Society
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.211-216
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• 2006

The study for thixoextrusion process of 7075, 7003 Al wrought alloys and AZ31 Mg wrought alloy was carried out with respect to reheating rate, isothermal holding temperature and time with an emphasis to the effect of homogenization on thixotropic micro-structures during the partial remelting, especially in the low liquid fraction ($f_L<0.2$). The liquid fraction and average grain size with respect to reheating profile such as reheating rate, isothermal holding temperature and time were almost uniform. It is considered very useful for thixoextrusion in terms of process control such as billet temperature control and actual extrusion time. Micro-structural controls of 7075, 7003 Al wrought alloys and AZ31 Mg wrought alloy before and after homogenization were available and thixotropic microstructures were obtained in both specimens.