Author(s):
1. Milena Ćosić, Tehnikum Taurunum, College of Mechanical Engineering, Serbia
2. Marina Dojčinović, Faculty of Tehnology and Metallurgy, Serbia
3. Zagorka Acimović-Pavlović, Faculty of Technology and Metallurgy, Belgrade, Serbia

Abstract:
The focus of semi-solid metal forming in recent years has been on the development of the rheocasting process. The process was consisted of mixing the melt in the solid–liquid temperature range during cooling. The microstructure evolution of the rheocast alloy has been investigated by water quenching the rheocast specimens at different stages of solidification. To identify the effects of stirring speed and stirring time on the rheocast microstructure, stirring speed (rpm): 500 and stirring time (s): 60,120,180 were employed. The changes in particle size with time were defined using Image–Tool software. The microstructure of the specimens tested at different stirring times, showed nearly spherical α-Al particles, while Si crystals showed tendency of agglomeration with increasing stirring time. The results from this study can be used to optimize the rheocasting process.

Key words:
Al-Si alloy,microstructure evolution,rheocasting

Date of abstract submission:
15.01.2013.

Conference:
DEMI 2013