Microstructural evolution and semisolid forming of SCC particulate reinforced AZ91HP magnesium composites

The aim of this paper is to report the experimental results concerning the microstructural evolution and formability of semisolid forming SiC particul ate reinforced AZ91HP Mg composites. The composite materials were produced in the form of cylindrical billets by a rotating cylinder method. The micro structural evolution was characterised by conventional parameters (liquid f raction, average size of globules, and number of globules per unit area) as functions of temperature and isothermal holding time in the semisolid stat e, In addition, special attention was paid to the shapes of the globules an d the liquid droplets entrained within the globules and to the variation of hardness with regard to microstructural evolution. Finally, the formabilit y of the composites was evaluated through thixocasting trials, and then cor related with the effective liquid fraction of the composites. MST/4562.