Archives of Foundry Engineering

Abstract

The paper deals with the effect of heating of various prepared batch materials into semisolid state with subsequent solidification of the cast under pressure. The investigated material was a subeutectic aluminium alloy AlSi7Mg0.3. The heating temperature to the semisolid was chosen at 50% liquid phase. The used material was prepared in a variety of ways: heat treatment, inoculation and by squeeze casting. Also the influence of the initial state of material on inheritance of mechanical properties and microstructure was observed. The pressure was 100 MPa. Effect on the resulting casting structure, alpha phase distribution and eutectic silicon was observed. By using semisolid squeeze casting process the mechanical properties and microstructures of the casts has changed. The final microstructure of the casts is very similar to the microstructure that can be reached by technology of thixocasting. The mechanical properties by using semisolid squeeze casting has been increased except the heat treated material.