Controlled Nucleation Method:A New Process for Semisolid Metal Forming

Semisolid metal forming requires special feedstock material with a fine-grained and globular structure to achieve thixotropic properties. A number of methods have been developed to produce such feedstock materials. Controlled Nucleation Method (CNM) is a new and simple, cost effective method that has been developed by the University of Queensland. The CNM process does not use the conventional stirring process, instead, it uses solidification conditions to control nucleation, nuclei survival and grain growth, thereby produce fine and globular structures suitable for semisolid forming. No specialised equipment is required. The method can produce both semisolid slurry for rheocasting and semisolid billet for thixocasting. It can be applied to a wide range of alloys and can easily be incorporated into existing metal forming installation. Semisolid slurries/billets of hypoeutectic and hypereutectic aluminium-silicon casting alloys, aluminium wrought alloys and a magnesium alloys have been successfully produced.