Preparation and rheocasting of semisolid slurry of 5083 Al alloy with indirect ultrasonic vibration process

The indirect ultrasonic vibration (IUV) method, in which the horn was vibrated under the outside of the metallic cup containing alloy melt, was employed for preparing semisolid slurry of 5083 Al alloy in this work. The effect of IUV on the microstructure of semisolid slurry and mechanical properties of rheo-diecasting samples were studied. The results indicate that good semisolid slurry could be obtained when the melt treated by IUV for 50 s, and the average diameter and shape coefficient of primary α-Al particles were 60 μm and 0.54 respectively. Apart from preparing semisolid slurry with fine microstructure, IUV had degassing effect on semisolid slurry of 5083 Al alloy. The tensile strength and elongation of the rheo-diecasting samples were 283 MPa and 9% respectively, which were increased by 11.4% and 32.4% respectively compared to conventional liquid die-casting samples.

► The indirect ultrasonic vibration (IUV) was a new method developed for preparing semisolid slurry.
► Good semisolid slurry of 5083 Al alloy could be obtained within 50 s.
► Apart from preparing Al semisolid slurry, IUV process had degassing effect on semisolid slurry.
► Rheo-diecasting samples of 5083 Al alloy had higher mechanical properties than conventional liquid diecasting samples.