Characterisation of thermophysical properties of semi-solid steels for thixoforming

Major challenge for semi-solid processing includes broadening the range of alloys that can be successfully thixoformed and developing alloys specifically for thixoforming. One important parameter is appropriate solidus-liquidus interval. The wider the solidification interval, the wider the processing window. This study is related to the experimental determination of this critical parameter on eight different steel compositions. This parameter was obtained using Differential Scanning Calorimetry. This technique allows to obtain the solid fraction versus temperature. The paper also presents the results of thermophysical properties determination such as thermal diffusivity, heat capacity and thermal conductivity. These properties were measured from room temperature to semi-solid state in one particular steel. The thermal diffusivity was measured using the Laser Flash method and the heat capacity using a DSC calorimeter. The thermal conductivity was obtained by calculation knowing the thermal dilatation measured with a dilatometer. All these measurements were performed for temperatures up to the liquidus. These parameters are difficult to measure but they are important to determine for the conductive heating phase of a semi-solid forming (SSM) process.