Shear deformation at 29% solid during solidification of magnesium alloy AZ91 and aluminium alloy A356

Partially solid commercial Al–Si and Mg–Al alloys have been deformed in shear during solidification using vane rheometry. The dendritic mush was deformed for a short period at 29% solid and allowed to cool naturally after deformation. Both alloys exhibited yield point behaviour and deformation was highly localised at the surface of maximum shear stress. The short period of deformation was found to have a distinct impact on the as-cast microstructure leading to fragmented dendrites in the deformation region of both alloys. In the case of the Mg–Al alloy, a concentrated region of interdendritic porosity was also observed in the deformation region. Concentrated porosity was not observed in the Al–Si alloy.