Semi-Solid Casting

Abstract

The conventional casting often contains internal structural defects that lead to poor mechanical proper-ties. The dendritic morphology in conventional casting is also responsible for low mechanical properties and fracture toughness. The tips of the dendrites act as a stress raiser. Thus, to improve the mechanical properties it is required to modify the dendritic microstructure of the alloys. The dendritic morphology can be altered by grain refinement, rapid solidification processing etc. Dendritic morphology can also be broken during its initial growth by some means in the agitation of melt itself. That means the alloys are processed in the partially solid and partially liquid state, which is known as semi-solid processing. Different semi-solid processing routes are rheocasting, thixocasting, strain induced melt activation, spray deposition technique and squeeze casting.