Inhibition of Cusp magnetic field on stray-crystal formation in platform region during directionally solidified single-crystal superalloy

The stray crystal in the platform region is one of the common main defects in single-crystal superalloy blades. The simple and effective method to eliminate this defect is urgent to be explored. This work found that the Cusp magnetic field can effectively inhibit the stray-crystal formation in the platform. The tendency of stray-crystal formation decreases as the magnetic-field strength increases at a certain withdrawal rate and temperature-gradient. The suppressing effect decreases as the withdrawal rate or the temperature-gradient increases. Finally, the inhibiting mechanism on the stray-crystal formation from the Cusp magnetic field is proposed based on the experiments and the numerical simulation. The magneticfield application strengthens the flow velocity and changes the flow structure near the liquid-solid interface, and further reduces the radial temperature difference. Accordingly, the secondary dendrites in the heat-conduction undercooled zone expands towards the corner in a faster speed, which reduces the stray-crystal formation in the platform corner. This study provides an effective and simple method for decreasing the stray-crystal formation during the preparation of single-crystal with platform region.

Electric Potential in Surface Produced Negative Ion Source with Magnetic Field Increasing Toward a Wall

Electric potential near a wall for plasma with the surface produced negative ions with magnetic field increasing toward a wall is investigated analytically. The potential profile is derived analytically by using a plasma-sheath equation, where negative ions produced on the plasma grid （PG） surface are considered in addition to positive ions and electrons. The potential profile depends on the amount and the temperature of the surface produced negative ions and the profile of the magnetic field. The negative potential peak is formed in the sheath region near the PG surface for the case of strong surface production of negative ions or low temperature negative ions. As the increase rate of the magnetic field near the wall becomes large, the negative potential peak becomes small.

Analysis of Magnetic Field of the DNB Ion Source

A distribution of the magnetic field produced by permanent magnets in the DNB ion source is calculated and analyzed in order to understand the plasma confinement in a cusped magnetic field and optimize plasma discharge. A uniform plasma is obtained in the experiment.