Alloy Design for Semi Solid Metal Forming

Abstract

Semi-solid metal forming is more than 40 years old but its full potential to near net shape form high strength aluminium alloys has been realised only to a limited degree. Alloys developed for traditional manufacturing processes were initially used but it became apparent that alloys specific to SSM forming needed to be developed. The main alloy development criteria revolved around SSM processing temperature, solid fraction (fs) versus temperature sensitivity and age hardening potential. This methodology while sound does not fully address the unique processing behaviour of SSM forming. By its very nature SSM requires the controlled solidification of a part of the melt before forming. From basic solidification fundamentals this results in the enrichment of the remaining liquid with alloying elements. During the forming process segregation of liquid phase essentially produces a component with very different compositions in the regions where the liquid solidifies last. From recent work completed on a wide range of standard alloy systems it has become apparent that this segregation effect has a significant impact on aging behaviour and strength. Low melting point structures formed in the these regions result in localised melting in the grain boundary region and along areas of gross liquid segregation during solution heat treatment, contributing to the poor mechanical properties. Although this behaviour can be addressed using modified heat treatment, this cannot be applied to all current alloy systems. Alloy design for SSM forming must take these phenomena into account in order to develop and or specify aluminium alloys with acceptable mechanical properties.