Abstract: The semi-solid AlSi7Mg alloy slurry of large size was prepared by the low superheat pouring and weak electromagnetic stirring in this paper. The effects of pouring temperature and stirring power on the microstructure of the AlSi7Mg alloy slurry were studied. The results show that the semi-solid AlSi7Mg alloy slurry of 127mm in diameter can be prepared by the low superheat pouring and weak electromagnetic stirring technology and this new technology can save energy and make the pouring process convenient. When the liquid AlSi7Mg alloy is poured at 650 or 630, the solidified microstructure of the AlSi7Mg alloy slurry prepared by the weak electromagnetic stirring is remarkably improved compared with that of the slurry without stirring, the primary -Al grains appear rosette-like or spherical. When the pouring temperature is decreased, the shape of the primary -Al grains is gradually changed from dendritic-like grains to spherical grains. When the pouring temperature is appropriately increased, namely raised to a certain superheat, the pouring process becomes easier and an ideal spherical microstructure of the AlSi7Mg alloy slurry prepared by the weak electromagnetic stirring can also be obtained, in this experiment, when the stirring power is 0.36kW, the optimized pouring temperature parameter is 630.When the AlSi7Mg alloy slurry is prepared by the low superheat pouring and weak electromagnetic stirring, when the pouring temperature is 630,increasing the stirring power appropriately could gain better spherical primary -Al grains,but if the stirring power is increased to a certain value, the shape of the primary 冄-Al grains is not further improved, in this experiment, the optimized stirring power parameter is 0.36kW.

Key words: Semi-solid, AlSi7Mg alloy, Primary α-Al, Pouring temperature, Week electromagnetic stirring