Semisolid Processing of Magnesium Alloys: Microstructure - Property Relationship
An application of semisolid processing to magnesium alloys is discussed emphasizing both the fundamental and applied research activities aimed at better understanding the microstructure-property relationship. The reduced temperature of semisolid processing, providing common benefits of longer tool life, tighter dimensional tolerances and better process consistency is of special importance for magnesium alloys due to their high affinity to oxygen, requiring an expensive protection and leading otherwise to ignition and burning. However, the reduced temperature resulting in higher part integrity does not create beneficial microstructural characteristics converting to substantially improved mechanical properties. Major microstructural factors controlling properties of magnesium alloys after semisolid processing are discussed.