RHEOCASTING PROCESS APPLIED TO ATSi5Cu1 ALLOY

Abstract

Rheocasting process (RC), has been developed for manufacturing near-net shape components of high integrity directly from liquid alloys. The rheocasting process innovatively adapts the well -established high shear dispersive mixing action to the task of in situ creation of semisolid slurry followed by direct shaping of the semisolid slurry into a component using the existing cold chamber die-casting process. The rheocast component has close to zero porosity, fine and uniform microstructure throughout the entire component. Compared with those produced by conventional high-pressure die-casting, rheocasting samples have much improved tensile strength and ductility. In the paper are presented the rheocasting process, the microstructure and mechanical properties of rheocast samples made from AtSi5Cu1 alloy.