Thixoforming : semi-solid metal processing

Preface SEMI-SOLID FORMING OF ALUMINIUM AND STEEL ' INTRODUCTION AND OVERVIEW Introduction Early Work on Flow Behaviour and Technology Development Today's Technologies of Semi-Solid Metal Forming PART I: Material Fundamentals of Metal Forming in the Semi-Solid State METALLURGICAL ASPECTS OF SSM PROCESSING Introduction Temperature Sensitivity S* and Solid-Liquid Fraction Slurry Formation in the Rheo- and Thixo-Routes Proneness to Segregation and Hot Tearing Impact of Variations in Alloy Composition Conclusion MATERIAL ASPECTS OF STEEL THIXOFORMING Introduction Background Alloying Systems Structural Parameter Development and Material Selection Melting Behaviour Microstructure Analysis and Material Properties Conclusions DESIGN OF Al AND Al-Li ALLOYS FOR THIXOFORMING Production of Raw Material for Thixoforming Processes Chemical Grain Refinement of Commercial Thixoalloys Fundamentals of Aluminium-Lithium Alloys Development of Aluminium-Lithium-Alloys for Semi-Solid Processing Consideration of the Forming Pressure on Thixoalloy Development Preparation of Principle Components from Al-Li Thixoalloys Production of Al-Li Demonstrators by Rheocasting Recycling of Aluminium-Lithium Alloys from Thixoforming Processes THERMOCHEMICAL SIMULATION OF PHASE FORMATION Methods and Objectives Calculations for the Tool Steel X210CrW12 Calculations for the Bearing Steel 100Cr6 Calculations for the High-Speed Steel HS6-5-2 PART II: Modelling the Flow Behaviour of Semi-Solid Metal Alloys MODELLING THE FLOW BEHAVIOUR OF SEMI-SOLID METAL ALLOYS Empirical Analysis of the Flow Behaviour Numerical Modelling of Flow Behaviour Simulation of Cooling Channel A PHYSICAL AND MICROMECHEMICAL MODEL FOR SEMI-SOLID BEHAVIOUR Introduction Basic Concepts of Micromechanical and Homogenization Modelling Semi-Solid Behaviour Results and Discussion Conclusion PART III: Tool Technologies for Forming of Semi-Solid Metals TOOL TECHNOLOGIES FOR FORMING OF SEMI-SOLID METALS Introduction ' Suitable Tool Concepts for the Thixoforming Process Thin-Film PVD/PECVD Coating Concepts for Die Materials PVD and PECVD Coating Technologies Multifunctional PVD Composites for Thixoforming Moulds Developing Al2O3 PECVD Coatings for Thixoforming Moulds Bulk Ceramic Forming Tools Conclusions and Perspectives PART IV: Forming of Semi-Solid Metals RHEOCASTING OF ALUMINIUM ALLOYS AND THIXOCASTING OF STEELS Casting of Semi-Solid Slurries SSM Casting Processes Thixocasting of Steel Alloys Rheoroute Assessment and Outlook THIXOFORGING AND RHEOFORGING OF STEEL AND ALUMINIUM ALLOYS Introduction Forging in the Semi-Solid State Heating and Forming Operations Simulation of the Thixoforming Process Conclusion THIXOEXTRUSION Introduction State of the Art Tool Concepts Isothermal Thixoextrusion Non-Isothermal Thixoextrusion Conclusion