Effects of rheoforming on microstructures and mechanical properties of 7075 wrought aluminum alloy

It is economically advantageous to cast wrought aluminum alloys directly into near-net-shape components. The objective of the present work is to take advantage of the rheoforming with 7075 alloy to improve the competitiveness of this emerging technology in the manufacture of wrought aluminum alloy. High quality semi-solid slurry was produced, in which primary a (Al) presents in diameter of 62 μm and shape factor of 0.78 and features no eutectics entrapped. Higher forming pressure results in small grain size, improved shape factor and higher density. Especially, rheoforming can effectively reduce the occurrence of hot tearing. The average yield strength and elongation of the rheoformed samples in the T6 condition are 483 MPa and 8%, respectively.