Thixo-extrusion of Semi Solid 7075 Aluminum Alloys and Mechanical Properties of The Extrudates

Abstract

Thixo-extrusion of semi-solid 7075 aluminum alloy and the mechanical properties of its extrudates were investigated. The semisolid alloy was prepared by a cooling slope cast. In other to perform thixo-extrusion, semi-solid 7075 aluminum alloy billets were reheated at the reheating conditions reported in a previous study. The maximum extrusion pressure in thixo-extrusion was 615MPa. This was lower than that of conventional hot extrusion (P max = 940MPa) at the same extrusion conditions due to the increased fluidity of the alloy billet in the semi-solid state. The values of Rockwell hardness (scale B) at the extrusion direction of the as thixoextruded bar were 48~53HRB and the difference in Rockwell hardness between the transverse direction and the extrusion direction was 5HRB or less. The results show that thxio-extrusion of semi-solid 7075 Al alloy improves the workability and anisotropic with the extrusion direction compared with hot extrusion of the conventional alloy.