Thixoforming : Semi-solid Metal Processing

Figure 9.31 Simulation of the metal velocity in different phases of filling.
Smaller air locks can be seen directly at the surface of the parts. The step-shot
experiments were validated again the simulation. The simulation results represented
very well the ruling conditions both in the fan area and passing the cores
(Figure 9.31).
The examination of the components produced for X210 (Figure 9.29) yielded a very
good surface quality. The area of the blade could be produced throughout with a
projected thickness of 0.85 mm. A single hot crack is observed repeatedly in the
Figure 9.32 (a) Thermography 4.5 s after the form filling indicates
the variation of the annealing temperature of the steel. In (b) , the
gating and TZM cores (with a brittle demolition) are shown. After
10 shots, weldings in the area of the burr trains appear.
9.3 Thixocasting of Steel Alloysj341