Flow behavior of yield stress fluids.

The rheological properties of semi-solid metal alloys are an important issue in the thixoforming process. A closer investigation of the die filling behavior of yield stress fluids is conducted. Suitable model substances were chosen for use in actual filling experiments in which fluid contours were documented on film. Flow 3D simulations were used to verify these experimental observations. These comparisons strengthen the theory that the existence of a yield stress in semi-solid materials is the major factor governing their flow patterns