Commercial AM60 alloy for semisolid processing: Effects of continuous rheoconversion process on microstructure

In order to verify the effect of CRP (continuous rheoconversion process) in the preparation of magnesium alloy semisolid billets, AM60 alloy billets were fabricated with CRP, and effects of pouring temperature, slope angle, and length of the reactor on the microstructure of AM60 alloy were investigated. The results show that the grain size is reduced with the decrease of pouring temperature. A small block/rosette grain is obtained when the pouring temperature is less than 680 °C. Therefore, the available temperature process interval/window has to be required. To change slope angle of reactor (from 30° to 45°) is helpful for formation of the small and block/rosette grains. Meanwhile, the reactor with a length of 500 mm is enough for copious nucleation of primary phase. CRP changes the solidification microstructure of billets by controlling the nucleation and growth of the primary phase in melt.