Influence Of Tool Geometry, Tool Coating And Process Parameters In Thixoextrusion Of Steel

Thixoextrusion could become one possibility to enlarge the complexity of extruded profiles made of steel. Accordingly semi-solid extrusion experiments of X210CrW12 tool steel using round dies of approximately 15 mm diameter were performed in order to achieve first information concerning possible process windows and process limits. For liquid fractions between 38% and 10%, extrusion press velocities from 10 mm/s to 50 mm/s and dies with novel PVD-coatings no complete solidification during extrusion was achieved. However the collected pieces of the extruded bars showed a fine and evenly distributed globular microstructure.