Semi-Solid Metal Processing from an Industrial Perspective; The Best is yet to Come!

Abstract

This paper considers the industrial viability of SSM in comparison to other casting processes and the products each process is best able to produce; in such a perspective, SSM has much to offer especially in terms of cost effectiveness for thinner-walled and higher-integrity cast product lines. The ultimate success of SSM will rely on lessons learned from all past thixocacting and rheoocasting developments and experiences. Proposed is new thinking with regard to adaptation of rheocasting to conventional casting equipment; changing the semi-solid processing paramigm is key to ultimate SSM competitiveness and to opening vast new markets for for semi-solid cast products.