EFFECf OF 1HE INCLINED COOLING PLATE CHARACIERIS1ICS ON 1HETHIXOIROPICMICROS'IRUCI'URE OFA356.0ALUMINUMALLOY

In the present work microstructural evolution of A356 Aluminum alloy using an inclined cooling plate casting process for thixoformingfeedstock production is investigated. The resultant microstructure was evaluated and compared with those of the same alloy produced by the conventional casting process, i.e. directly cast in the same mold without using an inclined cooling plate. It wasfound that when allay melt poured over an inclined cooling plate and subsequently cast in semisolid condition into a metallic mould resulted in fine rosettes and nearly globular a-Al primary phase uniformly distributed in an At +Si eutectic matrix. The effect of the processing parameters such as the lengths and angles of the inclined cooling plate and their combitultions were identified toproduce alloy ingot with the 11WSt suitable microstructural constituent for thixoforming process.