9412196 Wang The award is for the development of a process and machinery for net-shape production of parts made from semi-solid materials. The materials could be metal alloys or metal-matrix composites. Semi-solid processing enables use of lower die temperatures, higher viscosity, lower part porosity, lower thermal shrinkage, and better grain structure. A screw injection molding machine has been modified for die casting of semi-solid material. The feasibility of changing properties of the castings such as solid fraction, particle size, etc. by manipulating process control variables will be investigated. Net shape die casting experiments to produce simple three-dimensional parts will be conducted. If the research is successful, the process may have a great impact on the die-casting industry and could make the traditional die-casting process obsolete.
