Preparation of high-performance parts of aluminum alloy A7075 by semi-solid forging method

Abstract

We report on the fabrication of high-performance components of aluminum alloy A7075 by the semi-solid forging method. Semi-solid forging has the advantages of better dimensional accuracy and lower forming load compared to casting and cold forging, and semi-solid materials are expected to have improved mechanical properties compared to normal materials. Products with complex shapes are manufactured by die casting. However, there are few reports on die casting of A7075, which has high tensile strength, because it has high deformation resistance and is prone to solidification cracking and hot cracking. In this study, two differently shaped parts fabricated by an optical 3D printer were embedded in a semi-solid slurry during semi-solid forging of aluminum alloy A7075 to fabricate a test piece with an internal cavity. The feasibility of forming the specimens was investigated by measuring the die cushion load during forming, measuring the extent of the internal cavity, and observing the surface properties of the specimens.