Research Line Forming Processes

Forming in a semi-liquid state, and thixo forging in particular, refers to the shaping of metallic materials between their solidus and liquidus temperatures. Depending on the complexity of the component, a liquid phase proportion of between 20 % and 60 % is set. Only temperature windows of around 12 Kelvin are available for setting these phase proportions, for example for Al-Si alloys. The thixotropic behaviour, which is particularly characteristic of metal alloys with globular structures in this partially liquid state, is characterized by the reduction in structural strength under a shear load and its complete reconstruction during the subsequent rest phase. In addition to the processing of cast alloys, this manufacturing process also enables the shaping of difficult-to-cast, refractory and particle-reinforced alloys as well as the integration of metallic and fiber-like reinforcing components in light metal matrices. Current projects being carried out at the Institute of Forming Technology (IFU) in this context are divided into the research areas "Monolithic materials", "Hybrid material systems" and "Joining of composite and metal materials".