A metal-melting direct writing process, using semi-solid isothermal heat treatment to form high-quality semi-solid components, realized the integrated innovation of semi-solid formation and additive manufacturing. An experimental study was carried out on semi-solid isothermal heat treatment for metal-melting direct-writing technology, using 2A12 aluminum alloy as raw material. The semi-solid isothermal heat treatment was carried out over different temperature ranges, and four-stages evolution mechanism of the semi-solid microstructure in the semi-solid melting direct writing process was investigated. The effects of holding temperature and time on the microstructure of the semi-solid isothermal heat treatment of the alloy were put forward. According to the analysis of the results of the semi-solid-melting direct-writing test, the corresponding relationship between semi-solid microstructure and extrusion formability was found. The results show that when the holding temperature is 640-650 °C and the holding time is 20-25 min, the liquid phase rate can reach about 40%, and the direct-writing forming technology can be carried out stably.
Keywords: fast manufacturing; metal 3D printing; metal-melting direct-writing forming; semi-solid thermoforming.