A filling analysis of the forging process of semi-solid aluminum materials considering solidification phenomena

Abstract

A new forming technology has been developed to fabricate near-net shape products using light metal. Semi-solid forming technology has some advantages compared with conventional forming processes such as die casting, squeeze casting and hot/cold forging. In this study, the numerical analysis of semi-solid filling is carried out and corresponding experiments are undertaken for semi-solid materials (SSM) of solid fraction f S=30% in A356 aluminum alloy. A finite-difference program of the Navier–Stokes equation, coupled with heat transfer and solidification, has been developed to predict the filling pattern and temperature distribution of the SSM. The program developed in this study gives the die-filling patterns of the SSM and the final solidification region.