Semi-solid concentration processing of metallic alloys
US6428636B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 26, 1999 |
| Grant date | Aug 6, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 26, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S164/90
- WIPO fieldMaterials, metallurgy
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A metallic alloy having a semi-solid range between the liquidus temperature and the solidus temperature of the metallic alloy is processed by cooling the metallic alloy from an initial metallic alloy elevated temperature to a semi-solid temperature of less than the liquidus temperature and more than the solidus temperature, and maintaining the metallic alloy at the semi-solid temperature for a sufficient time to produce a semi-solid structure in the metallic alloy of a globular solid phase dispersed in a liquid phase. The cooling may be accomplished by providing a crucible at a crucible initial temperature below the solidus temperature, pouring the metallic alloy into the crucible, and allowing the metallic alloy and the crucible to reach a thermal equilibrium between the liquidus temperature and the solidus temperature of the metallic alloy. The method further includes removing at least some, but not all, of the liquid phase present in the semi-solid structure of the metallic alloy to form a solid-enriched semi-solid structure of the metallic alloy, and forming the metallic alloy having the solid-enriched semi-solid structure into a shape.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.