Effect of semi-solid processing on microstructure and mechanical properties of 5052 aluminum alloy

The microstructure and mechanical properties of rheocasted 5052 aluminum alloy were investigated. The semi-solid slurry of this alloy was prepared by ultrasonic vibration (USV) process and then shaped by gravity casting (GC) and high press diecasting (HPDC). The experimental results indicate that fine and globular primary a(Al) particles are distributed uniformly in the rheocasting samples. The tensile strength and elongation of the rheo-GC sample are 191 MPa and 7.5%, respectively. Compared with the conventional GC samples, they increase by 22.4% and 82.9% respectively. The tensile strength and elongation of the rheo-HPDC samples reach 225 MPa and 8.6%, respectively, and they are 14.8% and 75.5% higher than those of the conventional HPDC samples, respectively. It is also found that the ductile fracture mode prevails in the rheocasting samples.