Effect of preheating temperature of multiplex-type slurry cup on the morphology of primary solid phase of semi-solid slurry

Semi-solid slurry for a rheocasting process requires a fine and globular structure of primary solid phase. In the present study, in order to find an optimum preheating temperature of a multiplex-type slurry cup in the slurry maker that we recently developed for the rheocasting process, the semi-solid slurry was held for a various time of up to 60 min. in a multiplex-type slurry cup preheated at a different temperature. A size and morphology of primary solid phase of the semisolid slurry was measured and analyzed with the difference of the recorded cooling curve during the solidification with respect to a preheating temperature of the slurry cup. Also, a microstructural evolution and globularization mechanism occurred during the isothermal holding were discussed. Finally, as considering the effect of a different casting condition on the morphology of primary solid phase the optimum manufacturing condition of the semi-solid slurry for the rheocasting process was proposed.