Thixoforming : Semi-solid Metal Processing

Two Italian companies gained the first experience with use of the innovative
thixoforming technology in the test series or batch production of aluminium
components in 1992–93.
The processing of semi-solid materials has been an increasingly favoured topic
of worldwide research activities, with a considerable increase in the production of
thixocasting components [12]. Attention has been devoted to the production of
mechanically highly loaded and particularly pressure-tight and weldable safety
components for the automotive industry [13–15], and the lot sizes of some parts
is over 2 million pieces per year [16]. The component weight varies between 10 g and
10 kg [17]. Examples of thixocasting parts from the series and from the F&E in Europe
and the USA show that the method is suitable particularly for the production of
complex and highly resilient components (Figure 9.4). The following application
classes can be distinguished:
Figure 9.4 Examples of aluminium thixocast applications.
9.2 SSM Casting Processesj315