The microstructural evolution and phase transformations during partial remelting of in-situ Mg2Sip/AM60B composite modified by SiC and Sr were investigated. The results indicate that SiC and Sr are effective for refining primary α-Mg grains and Mg2Si particles. After being partially remelted, a semisolid microstructure with small and spheroidal primary α-Mg particles can be obtained. The microstructural evolution during partial remelting can be divided into four stages： the initial rapid coarsening, structural separation, spheroidization and final coarsening, which are essentially caused by the phase transformations of β→α, α＋β→L and α→L, α→L, and α→L and L→α, respectively. The Mg2Si particles have not obvious effect on the general microstructural evolution steps, but can slower the evolution progress and change the coarsening mechanism. During partial remelting, Mg2Si particles first become blunt and then become spheroidal because of melting of their edges and corners, and finally are coarsened owing to Ostwald ripening.
A new processing technology,powder thixoforming,for preparation of particle reinforced metal matrix composites was proposed and 6061 aluminum alloy was prepared by powder thixoforging.6061 ingots were first prepared by cold-pressing the atomized 6061 alloy powders,and then the ingots were partially remelted followed by thixoforging.The effects of reheating time,mould temperature and reheating temperature on microstructure and mechanical properties of the thixoforged alloys were investigated.The results indicate that all of the three parameters have large effects on the microstructure and mechanical properties.Owing to the microstructure changes,the fracture regime varies with the processing parameters.Furthermore,cracks always initiate from shrinkage porosities and inclusions,and then propagate either along the secondarily solidified structures or primary particles.The ultimate tensile strength,elongation and hardness of the resulting alloy are up to 196 MPa,11.0%and HV 55.7 respectively.
