Model Simulates Semi-Solid Material Processing

David Spencer (MIT) developed semi-solid material processing through an accidental observation he made while dealing with the processing of metals in their mushy state. The semi-solid material process basically consists of two stages: pre-processing and processing. During pre-processing, the manufacturer heats the material to a liquid state. While it cools, the manufacturer breaks the material up, usually by mechanical means. The result is a mushy material with a very uniform microstructure consisting mainly of round crystals. Then, in the processing stage, the manufacturer forces the mushy material into a die where it is allowed to fully cool.