A novel method of alloy creation by mixing thixotropic slurries

The concept of semisolid processing was explored to generate alloys by mixing coarse particulate precursors with different chemistries. The experiments with several magnesium alloys revealed that the control of chemistry and the proportion of precursors, as well as the solid to liquid ratio during their partial melting, allowed the selective partition of alloying elements between the solid and liquid phases, thus designing unique solidification microstructures.