EXAMINATION OF MICROSTRUCTURE AND MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF Al2024 ALLOY PRODUCED BY THIXOCASTING

In this study, a wrought al2024 aluminum alloy formed with thixocasting method which is one of the semi-solid metal forming processes and the effect of liquid fraction and aging heat treatment (t6) on microstructure an mechanical properties has been investigated. billets produced by strain induced melt activation (sima) process were used in thixocasting. in the semi-solid region, microstructural and mechanical property variations depending on the temperatures that corresponded to different liquid fractions (608 °c, 616 °c, and 619 °c), and 2.37 m/s ram speed have been investigated. in the forming by thixocasting, at the temperature (608 °c) that corresponded to low liquid fraction the die cavity has not been fully filled by the semi-solid billet. the die cavity has been fully filled by semi-solid billet at high liquid fraction (60% and 65%). the mechanical properties of specimens which produced by thixocasting were found to be 45% lower than extruded + t6 condition specimen. the mechanical properties of the specimens which produced by thixocasting + t6 condition are almost same as specimens in extruded conditions.