In situ, time-resolved tomography for validating models of deformation in semi-solid alloys

The development and validation of physically-based models of semi-solid alloy deformation requires experimental data on the microstructural response to load. In this work we present three-dimensional in situ synchrotron results of the indirect extrusion of semi-solid aluminium-copper alloys. Globular Al-15wt.% Cu specimens were deformed at solid fractions of approximately 0.7 during time-resolved x-ray tomography. Key phenomena of the response to load were observed and quantified, with a focus on particle translations and rotations, and the resulting displacement field. This example shows that crystal displacements can be quantified during semi-solid deformation of bulk specimens, allowing for datasets to be produced suitable for validating models of complex phenomena during semi-solid flow.