Page 85 - eBook_Proceedings of the International Conference on Digital Manufacturing V2

Fabrication and Characterization of a Low-Cost Piezoelectric using Rochelle
Salt for Energy Harvesting and Sensor Applications

Schalek and MIT researchers Development of Continuous
Szegvari Spencer and rheo and thixo rheoconversion
demonstrate Flemings conduct processing methods
thixotropic 颐浓 pivotal techniques for enhance slurry
翾 in non- experiments with non-dendritic production
metallic systems Sn-Pb alloys slurries efficiency
192 197 1990s P res en t
3 1

192 1980 2000s
7 s

Peterfi First Introduction of
introduces the commercial thixomolding
term applications of for magnesium
"thixotropy" semi-solid alloys
processing
begin

Figure 28: Timeline of Key Developments in SSMP (Czerwinski,
2006; Ahmad, Naher & Brabazon, 2014; Chang et al., 2020;
Kirkwood, Suéry, Kapranos, Atkinson & Young, 2010).

FUNDAMENTALS OF SSMP

SSMP is a manufacturing technique that shapes metals in their
semi-solid state, achieved by heating the material to a temperature
range between its solidus and liquidus points. In this state, the
metal is a slurry, made up of solid grains in a liquid matrix,
allowing for efficient shaping and forming. A key feature of
SSMP is its thixotropic behaviour: the material flows under shear
stress, but retains a solid-like structure when at rest. This improves
mould filling and reduces defects compared to traditional casting
methods (Czerwinski, 2006; Kirkwood, Suéry, Kapranos,
Atkinson & Young, 2010; Tajudin, Ahmad, Alias, Razak &
Alang, 2023).

69