Effect of Volume Fraction Solid and Injection Speed on Mechanical Properties in New Type Semi-Solid Injection Process

Abstract

We have developed new type semi-solid injection process, that is, runner-less injection process which can obtain high material yield of about 90% for magnesium alloy. In this process, alloy billets are heated to the semi-solid temperature in the injection cylinder and are injected into a permanent mold. In order to investigate the effects of volume fraction solid and injection speed on microstructure and mechanical properties of AZ91D magnesium alloy injected into the permanent mold, semi-solid forming testing machine which has the same system as a runner-less injection machine, has been made on an experimental basis. The magnesium billet precisely controlled at given temperature has been injected into a permanent mold with two kinds (slow and high) of speed and plate-like specimens with each fraction solid have been fabricated. Microstructure has been observed by optical microscopy and X-ray computerized tomography (CT) scanner. Mechanical properties have been measured by tensile test. The effects of volume fraction solid of the alloy slurry and injection speed on mechanical properties have been clarified.