The Microstructural Characterization of Semi-Solid Slurries

Due to recent interest in semi-solid metal (SSM) processing, there is a need for fundamental knowledge on the formation and solidification of primary particles. The primary particle size, distribution, morphology, and percentage are the main concerns because particle quantity and size affect not only the mechanical properties of as-cast SSM parts but also the flow characteristics of SSM slurries during die filling. Microstructural characterization is a basic tool for measuring the critical parameters that influence the resulting properties. This article describes the tools and techniques available for structural analysis of SSM slurries. It also attempts to elucidate the ambiguities and interpretations of special structural features.Shahrooz Nafisi and Reza Ghomashch