Analysis and development of a simple procedure for measuring the rheological properties of thixotropic magnesium alloys

A new method for measuring the rheological properties of thixotropic magnesium alloys has recently been proposed. In this method a cylindrical probe with a conical nose is driven into the semi-solid material and the force required to do this is measured as a function of time. The derivation of the rheological properties using the proposed method is based on a number of assumptions regarding the flow over the probe. The present study was undertaken in order to assess the adequacy of these assumptions. In assessing these assumptions, attention has mainly been given to Newtonian fluids.;The numerical study was undertaken to determine whether the flow over the probe in the vicinity of the nose and near the free surface did not vary with time. The analytical study was undertaken to obtain an equation for the viscosity for the Newtonian fluid case. In the experimental study, the total force on the probe was measured using the apparatus and the variation of this force with time was determined. The viscosity was then calculated using the relationship found from the analytical study. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)...