INTRODUCTION
Sub-Liquidus Casting is a new semisolid casting method which offers better overall quality than conventional casting methods: less porosity, less contraction and the possibility of applying heat treatments. In 2001, the THT Company [1] developed the Sub Liquidus Casting (THT-SLC) process in the USA. This process uses a small, compact machine
THT machines have a vertical shot and horizontal die parting configuration. The THT machines are capable of considerably larger shots than conventional machines of higher tonnage and employ a large diameter and short shot approach. This study compares the hardness and tribological properties of A356 components, produced by the SLC technique, in the as-cast, T6 and T5 tempers.