Metals and Metals Processes

Research highlights

	Metal processes to aid major industries [Research context] Novel technology to treat semi-solid metals to benefit the automotive and aerospace industries has been developed by the CSIR. This technology can produce high-integrity castings with improved mechanical properties.

	Opportunities and challenges for use of SSM forming in the aerospace industry Components produced using Semi-solid metal (SSM) forming is limited. The technique can become an important processing and powerful manufacturing technique for both current and next generations of commercial aircraft.

	Application of numerical modelling in SSM automotive brake calliper castings Numerical modelling has successfully been used by the CSIR to convert a gravity-cast brake calliper to a thixocasting process, proving that gravity-cast components can be successfully converted to the thixocasting process.

	Laser welding of SSM Cast A356 aluminium alloy processed with CSIR-Rheo technology The effect of different heat treatments on microstructure and mechanical properties of the welds has been investigated by the CSIR.