The Semi-Solid Forming of an Improved AA6061 Wrought Aluminum Alloy Composition

Abstract

The semi-solid forming (SSF) of aluminum alloys offers many advantages over conventional casting processes. Nevertheless, the semi-solid forming is still far from its full commercial potential and mainly used in specific niche markets. The market positioning requires simple, low cost, and versatile SSF processes that are capable of processing a wide range of alloy composition including wrought alloy compositions. However, wrought alloys must be adapted to obtain the desired semi-solid processing ability and proper mechanical properties. The processing of these attractive alloys with the SEED process offers the possibility to better target specific applications and customers’ needs. In the present paper, the alloy development of AA-6061 aiming to minimize the hot tearing propensity during forming process is reported. An overview of the industrial SEED process used to produce the semi-solid AA-6061 feedstock is presented. The mechanical properties of the cast parts subjected to a specific heat treatment were evaluated. As part of the joint effort between Alcan International Limited and the National Research Council of Canada (NRC), the fatigue results obtained from the semi-solid AA-6061 die cast parts will be also reported.