New zinc alloys for semisolid applications

A new alloy for fashion products, alternative to traditional die-cast Zamak and hot-forged brass, was designed. The attention was focused on zinc-based alloy and different chemical compositions were investigated, mainly containing aluminum and copper as alloying elements, in order to obtain a proper material also for semisolid applications. The semisolid microstructure was obtained by ultrasound treatment of the liquid metal.
It was demonstrated that the new alloy, which offers higher mechanical and corrosion resistance than traditional Zamak and lower melting temperature and costs than brass, can be cast by conventional foundry processes as well as in semisolid (thixocasting and rheocasting) or forged.
Some thixoforming tests were done and the produced samples were completely characterized from mechanical and metallurgical point of view.