Production of super-high strength aluminum alloy billets by low frequency electromagnetic casting

The effects of low frequency electromagnetic field on the macro-physical fields in the semi-continuous casting process of aluminum alloys and the microstructure and crack in the billets were studied and analyzed by the numerical and experimental methods.Comparison of the results for the macro-physical fields in the low frequency electromagnetic casting（LFEC） process with the conventional DC casting process indicates the following characters due to the application of electromagnetic field：an entirely changed direction and remarkably increased velocity of melt flow;a uniform distribution and a decreased gradient of temperature;elevated isothermal lines;a reduced sump depth;decreased stress and plastic deformation.Further,the microstructure of the billets is refined remarkably and the crack in the billets is eliminated in LFEC process because of modification of the macro-physical fields induced by the application of low frequency electromagnetic field.

EFFECT OF LOW-FREQUENCY ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELD ON THE AS-CASTING MICROSTRUCTURES AND MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF HDC 2024 ALUMINUM ALLOY

The influences of the low frequency electromagnetic field on the horizontal direct chill casting process were investigated experimentally. Ingots of 2024 aluminum alloy with a cross size of 40 mm× 200 mm were produced by the conventional horizontal chill casting process and low frequency electromagnetic horizontal chill casting processre- spectively. The as-cast structures and the mechanical property of the ingots were examined. The results showed that the low frequency electromagnetic field could sub- stantially refine the microstructures and pronouncedly reduce the macrosegregation in the horizontal direct chill casting process. Moreover, the surface quality of the ingot was prominently improved by the low frequency electromagnetic field. The fracture strength and elongation percentage of the ingot was increased with the low frequency electromagnetic field.

Efects of low frequency electromagnetic ield on surface quality, microstructure and hot-tearing tendency of semi-continuous casting ZK60 magnesium alloy billets

The low frequency electromagnetic field was applied during direct chill(DC) semi-continuous casting of the ZK60 magnesium alloy billets. Effects of low frequency electromagnetic field on surface quality, microstructure and hot-tearing tendency of Φ500 mm ZK60 magnesium alloy billets were investigated. The results showed that with the application of the low frequency electromagnetic field, the surface quality of the ZK60 magnesium alloy billets is markedly improved and the depth of cold fold is decreased. The microstructure of the billets is also significantly refined. Besides, the distribution of the grain size is relatively uniform from the billet surface towards its center, where the average grain size is 42 μm at surface and 50 μm at center. It also shows that the hot-tearing tendency of DC semi-continuous casting ZK60 magnesium alloy billets is significantly reduced under low frequency electromagnetic field.

Effect of low-frequency electromagnetic field on the as-cast microstructure of a new super high strength aluminum alloy by horizontal continuous casting

The super high strength aluminum alloy ingots with 100 mm in diameter were cast by the process of low-frequency electromagnetic horizontal continuous casting (LFEHC) and the effect of electromagnetic field on the as-cast microstructure was studied. Results show that microstructure of the sample prepared by the LFEHC process was greatly refined. Microstructures at the border and the center of the ingots were fine, uniform and rosette-shaped. Electromagnetic frequency plays a key role in microstructure refining. Fine and uniform microstructures can be obtained with optimal electromagnetic frequency. In this experiment, under a frequency of 30 Hz the microstructure was the finest and the most uniform.

Effect of low frequency electromagnetic field on microstructures and macrosegregation of horizontal direct chill casting aluminum alloy

The influences of low frequency electromagnetic field on cast surface, microstructures and macrosegregation in horizontal direct chill(HDC) casting process were investigated experimentally. The cast surfaces, microstructures and macrosegregation of the ingots manufactured by conventional HDC and low frequency electromagnetic HDC casting were compared. The results show that low frequency electromagnetic field significantly improves the surface quality, refines the microstructures and reduces macrosegregation. Further more, increasing electromagnetic intensity or decreasing frequency is beneficial to the improvement. In the range of ampere-turns and frequency employed in the experiments, the optimum ampere-turns is found to be 10 000 A·turn and the frequency to be 30 Hz.

Low-frequency pulsed electromagnetic field pretreated bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells promote the regeneration of crush-injured rat mental nerve

Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells （BMSCs） have been shown to promote the regeneration of injured peripheral nerves. Pulsed electromagnetic field （PEMF） reportedly promotes the proliferation and neuronal differentiation of BMSCs. Low-frequency PEMF can induce the neuronal differentiation of BMSCs in the absence of nerve growth factors. This study was designed to investigate the effects of low-frequency PEMF pretreatment on the proliferation and function of BMSCs and the effects of low-frequency PEMF pre-treated BMSCs on the regeneration of injured peripheral nerve using in vitro and in vivo experiments.In in vitro experiments, quantitative DNA analysis was performed to determine the proliferation of BMSCs, and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction was performed to detect S100 （Schwann cell marker）, glial fibrillary acidic protein （astrocyte marker）, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor and nerve growth factor （neurotrophic factors） mRNA expression. In the in vivo experiments, rat models of crush-injured mental nerve established using clamp method were randomly injected with low-frequency PEMF pretreated BMSCs, unpretreated BMSCs or PBS at the injury site （1 × 106 cells）. DiI-labeled BMSCs injected at the injury site were counted under the fluorescence microscope to determine cell survival. One or two weeks after cell injection, functional recovery of the injured nerve was assessed using the sensory test with von Frey filaments. Two weeks after cell injection, axonal regeneration was evaluated using histomorphometric analysis and retrograde labeling of trigeminal ganglion neurons. In vitro experiment results revealed that low-frequency PEMF pretreated BMSCs proliferated faster and had greater mRNA expression of growth factors than unpretreated BMSCs. In vivo experiment results revealed that compared with injection of unpretreated BMSCs, injection of low-frequency PEMF pretreated BMSCs led to higher myelinated axon count and axon density and more DiI-labeled neurons in the trigeminal ganglia, contributing to rapider functional recovery of injured mental nerve. These findings suggest that low-frequency PEMF pretreatment is a promising approach to enhance the efficacy of cell therapy for peripheral nerve injury repair.

MODELING AND EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH OF FOUR-STRAND LOW-FREQUENCY ELECTROMAGNETIC CASTING ALUMINUM ALLOY

With the aid of ANSYS software, the effect of different mould external part materials on magnetic flux density in the aluminum melt and magnetic field interaction of four coils applied with same currents were investigated. Calculating results showed that magnetic flux density in the aluminum melt was greatly improved and the magnetic field interaction among different coils was decreased when external part of mould is made of soft magnetic material. Based on the finding, a four-strand low-frequency electromagnetic casting 6063 aluminum alloy experiment was carried out in the laboratory . The experiment showed that the surface of the billet was smooth and had no exudations and cold shuts, the as-cast microstructures were fine, uniform, equiaxed, net-globular or globular under low-frequency electromagnetic field. The microstructure becomes finer with increased current value.

Temperature field in the hot-top during casting a new super-high strength Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloy by low frequency electromagnetic process

The billets of a new super-high strength Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloy in 200mm diameter were produced by the processesof low frequency electromagnetic casting (LFEC) and conventional direct chill (DC) casting, respectively. The effects of lowfrequency electromagnetic field on temperature field of the melt in the hot-top were investigated by temperaturemeasurement method. Temperature curves were measured from the surface to the center of the billets by locating type Kthermocouples into the casting during the processes. The results show that during LFEC process the temperature field inthe melt applying the hot-top is very uniform, which is helpful to reduce the difference of thermal gradients between thesurface and the center, and then to reduce the thermal stress and to eliminate casting crack.

Effect of Low Frequency Electromagnetic Field on Macrosegregation of Horizontal Direct Chill Casting Aluminum Alloys

The horizontal direct chill (HDC) casting process is a well-established production route for aluminum alloy ingot but the ingot may suffer from macrosegregation sometimes. In order to control the defect, a low frequency electromagnetic field has been applied in HDC casting process and the relevant influence has been studied. The results show that application of low frequency electromagnetic field can reduce macrosegregation in HDC casting process; and two main parameters of electromagnetic field density and frequency, have great influences on the solution distribution along the diameter of ingot. Moreover, the mechanisms of reduction of macrosegregation by electromagnetic field have been discussed.

Features of Usage of Electromagnetic Field of Extremely Low Frequency for the Storage of Agricultural Products

The way of increase of storage period of agricultural raw materials under the influence of low frequency electromagnetic field (EMF LF) has been considered in the article. Existing developments of the EMF LF usage on the base of patents have been examined. The results of EMF LF processing of wood, wine, seeds, vegetative, fish and meat products have been presented.

Methods of de-noising the low frequency electromagnetic data

The quality of the low frequency electromagnetic data is affected by the spike and the trend noises.Failure in removal of the spikes and the trends reduces the credibility of data explanation.Based on the analyses of the causes and characteristics of these noises,this paper presents the results of a preset statistics stacking method(PSSM)and a piecewise linear fitting method(PLFM)in de-noising the spikes and trends,respectively.The magnitudes of the spikes are either higher or lower than the normal values,which leads to distortion of the useful signal.Comparisons have been performed in removing of the spikes among the average,the statistics and the PSSM methods,and the results indicate that only the PSSM can remove the spikes successfully.On the other hand,the spectrums of the linear and nonlinear trends mainly lie in the low frequency band and can change the calculated resistivity significantly.No influence of the trends is observed when the frequency is higher than a certain threshold value.The PLSM can remove effectively both the linear and nonlinear trends with errors around 1% in the power spectrum.The proposed methods present an effective way for de-noising the spike and the trend noises in the low frequency electromagnetic data,and establish a research basis for de-noising the low frequency noises.

The Influence of Low Frequency Electromagnetic Field （LF EMF） on the Agricultural Crops Seeds Germination

This research is about changing rate of seeds germination by low frequencies electromagnetic field. The method of resonant frequencies to increase seeds germination were developed and patented by authors of this research. The idea of the means is to research a technique to changing a capacitor component of full resistance for extracts of wheat and sunflower seeds under the influence of low frequency electromagnetic field （LF EMF）. After the green sprouting experimentin cups of Petri, it was found that most frequencies found by this method are good, and the best results increasing germination of wheat of a grade Krasnodar 99 were after treatment with 31 Hz, for sunflower of a grade Buzuluk 16 Hz.

Radiation of Ultra Low Frequency Electromagnetic Waves from Atmosphere under the Influence of Strong Shock Waves

We present preliminary results from the experimental investigation of the response of the atmosphere due to the impact of powerful shock waves. The response is evidenced as ultra low frequency electromagnetic wave radiation at frequency of 2-5 kHz and in duration of 3 7s. We hypothesize that this radiation appears due to the following process： the shock wave ionizes the neutral particles in the air and these charged and neutral particles continue their vertical motion, which forms in the trail of the shock wave. Such motion can cause the cyclotron-like radiation measured.

Effect of mould material on aluminum alloy ingot quality under low frequency electromagnetic casting

With the aid of ANSYS software, the effect of different mould external part materials on magnetic flux density and electromagnetic body force in the liquid aluminum was investigated. Calculated results showed that magnetic flux density and electromagnetic body force in the aluminum melt are greatly increased when the external part of mould is made from A3 steel. A low-frequency electromagnetic casting 6063 aluminum alloy experiment was conducted in the laboratory with the current value of 120 A and frequency value of 15 Hz. The experiment showed that the microstructure and surface quality of ingots with mould outer part made from A3 steel under low-frequency electromagnetic field are better than that of ingots with mould outer part made from austenitic stainless steel. The surface of the ingots with mould outer part made from A3 steel is smooth and free from exudations and cold shut defects. The as-cast microstructure consists of fine, uniformly distributed equiaxed grains.

Analysis and Simulation of the Influence of Electromagnetic Fields on Living Beings near HV Power Lines Using the FDTD Method

Recent decades have seen rapid advances in the field of electrical engineering, such that our environment has become a sea of electrical and magnetic signals, raising questions about the possible effects of low-frequency electromagnetic fields on the environment and which are capable of modifying and destroying our ecosystem. Particular interest was given in this article due to a massive influx of population living near high voltage lines. The analysis and simulation of the influence of low frequency electromagnetic fields on living beings in the vicinity of high voltage sources 132 kV and 220 kV in urban areas in DR Congo is the subject of our research with a view to estimating the level of exposure of humans to low frequency electromagnetic fields. To carry out our research, we used the classic method of analyzing the field produced near a high voltage line based on Maxwell’s image theory, the Maxwell-Gauss theorem and Maxwell-Ampère theorem to model and quantify low-frequency electromagnetic fields in the vicinity of high-voltage lines. The 2D FDTD numerical formulation was developed from telegraphers’ equations and allowed us to obtain models of current and voltage induced by electromagnetic fields on living beings below and near HV lines. The different simulations carried out on the proposed models illustrate the effects of the electrical and geometric parameters of the pylons on the distribution of the electromagnetic field in the vicinity of the HV lines. The results obtained were compared to the safety limits recommended by the standards.

Effects of low-frequency magnetic field on grain boundary segregation in horizontal direct chill casting of 2024 aluminum alloy

Effects of low frequency electromagnetic field on grain boundary segregation in horizontal direct chill (HDC) casting process was investigated experimentally. The grain boundary segregation and microstructures of the ingots, which manufactured by conventional HDC casting and low frequency electromagnetic HDC casting were compared. Results show that low frequency electromagnetic field significantly refines the microstructures and reduces grain boundary segregation. Decreasing electromagnetic frequency or increasing electromagnetic intensity has great effects in reducing grain boundary segregation. Meanwhile, the governing mechanisms were discussed.

Coupled Modeling of Electromagnetic Fleld,Fluid Flow,Heat Transfer and Solidification During Conventional DC Casting and Low Ftequency Electrmagnetic Casting of 7xxx Aluminum Alloys

A comprehensive mathematical model has been developed to describe the interaction of the multiple physics fields during the conventional DC casting and LFEC (low frequency electromagnetic casting) process. The model is based on a combination of the commercial finite element package ANSYS and the commercial finite volume package FLUENT, with the former for the calculation of the electromagnetic field and the latter for the calculation of the magnetic driven fluid flow, heat transfer and solidification. Moreover, the model has been verified against the temperature measurements obtained from two 7XXX aluminum alloy billets of 200mm diameter, cast during the conventional DC casting and the LFEC casting processes. In addition, a measurement of the sump shape of the billets were carried out by using addition melting metal of Al-30%Cu alloy into the billets during casting process. There was a good agreement between the calculated results and the measured results. Further, comparison of the calculated results during the LFEC process with that during the conventional DC casting process indicated that velocity patterns, temperature profiles and the sump depth are strongly modified by the application of a low frequency electromagnetic field during the DC casting.

EXTREMELY LOW FREQUENCY MAGNETIC FIELD SUSCEPTIBILITY OF VISUAL DISPLAY UNITS

Extremely low frequency (ELF) magnetic field susceptibility is an index of visual display unit (VDU) quality and performance. This paper provided field measured data on the susceptibility for a large variety of VDUs. A test rig was built to study the susceptibility of VDUs to magnetic fields at fundamental and third harmonic frequencies. It was found that the susceptibility level is largely dependent on refresh rate of the VDU and the orientation of the external ELF field. It was also found that the VDU susceptibility is significantly increased in the presence of harmonic frequency magnetic fields. About 30% of the tested samples have susceptibility levels higher than that stated in IEC 1000-4-8 standard.

Direct-chilling casting of Mg alloy under electromagnetic and ultrasonic combined field

The effects of low frequency electromagnetic (LFEC) field and ultrasonic (US) field on the microstructures, macrosegregation of alloying elements and the mechanical properties of DC cast AZ80 alloy were studied. The results show that both LFEC and US fields can refine the grains of the billets, which results in the increase in mechanical properties and uniformity of alloying element distribution. The effective refinement takes place on the edge of ingots when LFEC field is applied, while in the center of billets when field US is adopted. Combined the characteristics of LFEC and US fields, a new process for direct-chilling (DC) casting of Mg-electromagnetic-ultrasonic (ECUS) casting is developed, by which the grains are refined significantly and are more uniform in the whole ingots, and the mechanical properties of the ingots are improved.

Effects of Different Electromagnetic Fields on Circadian Rhythms of Some Haematochemical Parameters in Rats

Objective To investigate the effects of different electromagnetic fields on some haematochemical parameters of circadian rhythms in Sprague-Dawley rats. Methods The study was carried out in 18 male and 18 female rats in good health conditions exposed to 50 Hz magnetic sinusoid fields at the intensity of 1000 μT, 100 μT, and 0 μT （control group） respectively, and in 18 male and 18 female rats in good health conditions exposed to 1.8 GHz electromagnetic fields at the intensity of 50 V/m, 25 V/m and 0 V/m （control group）, respectively. Following haematochemical parameters for glucose, triglycerides, and total cholesterol were measured. Results Different effects of electromagnetic fields on circadian rhythms of both male and female rats were observed. Different changes occurred in some haematochemical parameters for glucose, triglycerides, and total cholesterol （P〈0.05）. Conclusion Exposure to different electromagnetic fields is responsible for the variations of some haematochemical parameters in rats.