Semisolid Roll Casting of Aluminum Alloy Strip and Its Properties

Abstract

A356 was cast into the strip by the semisolid strip casting using an unequal diameter twin roll caster. This process was one of the rheocasting. The semisolid slurry was made by a cooling slope. Solid fraction was about 5%. The casting speed was 20 m/min, and the thickness was 4.4 mm. The as-cast strip could be cold rolled down to 1 mm. The result of tension test of 1mm-thickness-T4 heat-treated strip was as below. Tensile stress was 223 MPa, 0.2 proof stress was 123 MPa and elongation was 21.8%. Deep drawing could be operated to 1 mm-thickness T4 sheet, and L.D.R was attained to 2.0. In some condition, 180 degrees bending could be operated without crack at outer surface. These results mean that semisolid roll cast A356 strip may be able to use for press forming.