Strain induced melt activation — an effective route to produce high performance alloy plates and sheets

Processing of alloys in the semi solid state, within the liquidus and solidus temperature, has several potential advantages over casting and forging, such as reduction of macrosegregation, porosity and improved properties. A356 alloy produced by means of conventional gravity die casting, rheocasting and strain induced melt activation (SIMA) process has been investigated and their microstructure, mechanical and tribological properties were compared. The microstructure of conventional cast sample is fully dendritic in contrast to spheroidal morphology in rheocast and SIMA samples. The mechanical properties of the SIMA samples are considerably higher than that of conventional cast and rheocast samples. The volumetric wear loss and co-efficient of friction in SIMA samples are always less than those in conventional cast samples at all loads.