Microstructural characteristics and mechanical properties of hypo-eutectic and hyper-eutectic Al–Si alloys in the semi-solid forming process

The characteristics of the globularization distribution and quantitative mechanical properties in the forming process of rheologically formed parts with an arbitrary shape need to be investigated to minimize occurrence of defects and to minimize subsequent machining. However, most of relevant research that has been performed is about the effects of die temperature and applied pressure on the filling behavior of semi-solid materials. Therefore, in the present study, the microstructures and mechanical behavior of Al–Si materials with wear resistance fabricated by the rheological forming (semi-solid forming) process are evaluated in terms of globularization and surface non-uniformity. The effect of alloy compositions and heat treatment on the mechanical properties is investigated for a part fabricated using the rheological forming process. The three-step reheating process for rheological forming was performed with wrought and cast aluminum alloys. The mechanical properties of the parts so formed are obtained for several locations by the tensile test and microstructure investigation.