PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING SHAPED METAL PARTS

摘要

A process for injection moulding of articles from an alloy able to form a dendritic primary phase includes providing at a nozzle a quantity of the alloy which is at least predominantly in a liquid state. The alloy is moved along a flow path from the nozzle to a die cavity defined by a mould whereby the alloy is caused to flow along the flow path as a stream of alloy. The alloy is controlled as it is moved along the flow path to increase the stream in transverse cross-sectional area along flow of the alloy between an inlet end and an outlet end of at least a part of the length of the flow path. This increase reduces the flow velocity of the alloy sufficiently in its flow through said part, from a sufficient flow velocity at the inlet end, whereby the alloy is caused to change from said at least predominantly liquid state to a semi-solid state. The die cavity is able to be filled with the alloy in the semi-solid state.