Based on the experimental data of apparent viscosity about semi-solid A356 aluminum alloy,the apparent viscosity model was developed and inserted into a commercial software Castsoft6.0,and a key-shaped component filling process was simulated.The simulation results are in good agreement with the experimental filling results,which indicates that the apparent viscosity model established is effective and available.The process parameters on the cavity filling of the key-shaped components have been optimized.The injection pressure should be more than 15MPa.the slurry flowing velocity in the in-gate should be more than 1.73m/s,and the slurry temperature should be over 585℃.