Deformation and microstructure characterization during semi-solid extrusion of Al-4Cu-Mg alloy

Effects of the process parameters, including deformation temperature, punch velocity and extrusion ratio, on the deformation and microstructure characterization during the semi-solid extrusion of Al-4Cu-Mg alloy, were investigated. The experimental results show that the load decreases with an increase of deformation temperature and/or a decrease of punch velocity. When the displacement is more than 4 mm, the load decreases significantly with an increase of the deformation temperature, which is related to the high liquid fraction. The microstructure varies with the process parameters and deformation regions. It can be found that the dynamic recovery occurs during the semi-solid extrusion of Al-4Cu-Mg alloy at lower deformation temperature. Subsequently, the microstructure elongated gradually polygonizes with an increase of deformation temperature. So, the higher deformation temperature should be chosen during the semi-solid extrusion of Al-4Cu-Mg alloy because the grains polygonized and high liquid fractions are beneficial to deformation.