The semi-solid ZL201 alloy slurry prepared by near-liquidus casting was thixo-extruded

and microstructure of the thixo-extruded parts was observed and analyzed comparatively with those of conventional casting ZL201 alloy parts and squeezing casting parts.The results reveal that microstructure of thixo-extruded parts exhibit fine and uniform with absence of macro-segregation and grain porosities

which are beneficial for improving the mechanical properties of ZL201 alloy parts.During thixo-extruded process

there exist severe grain deformation and distortion zone

leading to recrystallization fraction in semi-solid alloy slurry during dynamic recrystalliztion process higher than that in conventional casting ones

which is responsible for the fine uniform distribution of grain size in thixo-extruded parts