Effect of wide-spectrum pulsed magnetic field on grain refinement of pure aluminium

A wide-spectrum pulsed magnetic field(WSPMF)was obtained by adjusting the number of current pulses and the pulse interval between adjacent pulses.The effect of WSPMF on the grain refinement of pure aluminium was studied.The distribution of electromagnetic force and flow field in the melt under the WSPMF was simulated to reveal the grain refining mechanism.Results show that the grain refinement is attributed to the combined effect of the melt flow and oscillation under a WSPMF.When the pulse interval is 5 ms,the extreme value of electromagnetic force is the highest,and the size of the crystal nucleus is 0.35 mm.In the case of similar flow rates,the grain size gradually decreases as the pulse interval increases.The range of the harmonic frequency of the magnetic field gradually expands with the increase of the pulse interval,which can provide more energy for nucleation at the solid-liquid interface and promote nucleation.

Unconventional room-temperature negative magnetoresistance effect in Au/n-Ge:Sb/Au devices

Non-magnetic semiconductor materials and their devices have attracted wide attention since they are usually prone to exhibit large positive magnetoresistance(MR)effect in a low static magnetic field environment at room temperature.However,how to obtain a large room-temperature negative MR effect in them remains to be studied.In this paper,by designing an Au/n-Ge:Sb/Au device with metal electrodes located on identical side,we observe an obvious room-temperature negative MR effect in a specific 50 T pulsed high magnetic field direction environment,but not in a static low magnetic field environment.Through the analysis of the experimental measurement of the Hall effect results and bipolar transport theory,we propose that this unconventional negative MR effect is mainly related to the charge accumulation on the surface of the device under the modulation of the stronger Lorentz force provided by the pulsed high magnetic field.This theoretical analytical model is further confirmed by regulating the geometry size of the device.Our work sheds light on the development of novel magnetic sensing,magnetic logic and other devices based on non-magnetic semiconductors operating in pulsed high magnetic field environment.

INFLUENCE OF PULSED MAGNETIC FIELD ON MICROSTRUC-TURES AND MACRO-SEGREGATION IN 2124 Al-ALLOY

The structures and macro-segregation of 2124 Al-alloy were studied when a pulsed magnetic field (PMF) was applied during solidification. It is found through experi-ments that a remarkable change occurs in the solidification structures of 2124 Al-alloy under pulsed magnetic field. The eutectic phase at grain boundaries change from thick continuous eutectic network to thin discontinuous one, and the distribution of solute elements was also homogenized. The typical negative segregation phenomenon of Cu in common solidification condition was restrained, and the segregation of Mg decreased.

Structure Evolution and Solidification Behavior of Austenitic Stainless Steel in Pulsed Magnetic Field

To understand the solidification behavior of austenitic stainless steel in pulsed magnetic field, the solidification process is investigated by means of the self-made high voltage pulse power source and the solidification tester. The results show that the solidification structure of austenitic stainless steel can be remarkably refined in pulsed magnetic field, yet the grains become coarse again when the magnetic intensity is exceedingly large, indicating that an optimal intensity range existed for structure refinement. The solidification temperature can be enhanced with an increase in the magnetic intensity. The solidification time is shortened obviously, but the shortening degree is reduced with the increase of the magnetic intensity.

Sterilization of Escherichia coli cells by the application of pulsed magnetic field

The inactivation of microorganisms by pulsed magnetic field was studied. It was improved that the application of electromagnetic pulses evidently causes a lethal effect on E. coli cells suspended in phosphate buffer solution Na 2HPO 4/NaH 2PO 4(0 334/0 867 mmol/L). Experimental results indicated that the survivability(N/N 0; where N 0 and N are the number of cells survived per mill il iter before and after electromagnetic pulses application, respectively) of E. coli decreased with magnetic field intensity B and treatment time t. It was also found that the medium temperatures, the frequencies of pulse f, and the initial bacterial cell concentrations have determinate influences in destruction of E. coli cells by the application of magnetic pulses. The application of an magnetic intensity B=160 mT at pulses frequency f=62 kHz and treatment time t=16 h result in a considerable destruction levels of E. coli cells (N/N 0=10 -4 ). Possible mechanisms involved in sterilization of the magnetic field treatment were discussed. In order to shorten the treatment time, many groups of parallel inductive coil were used. The practicability test showed that the treatment time was shortened to 4 h with the application of three groups of parallel coil when the survivability of E.coli cells was less than 0 01%; and the power consumption was about 0 2 kWh /m 3.

Soft magnetic properties of amorphous Fe_(52)Co_(34)Hf_7B_6Cu_1 alloy treated by pulsed magnetic field and annealing

The crystallization, microstructure, and soft magnetic properties of Fe52Co34Hf7B6Cul alloy are studied. Amorphous Fe52Co34Hf7B6Cul alloys are first treated by a pulsed magnetic field with a medium frequency, and then annealed at 100 ℃-400 ℃ for 30 min in a vacuum. The rise in temperature during the treatment by a pulsed magnetic field is measured by a non-contact infrared thermometer. The soft magnetic properties of specimens are measured by a vibrating sample magnetometer （VSM）. The microstructure changes of specimens are observed by a MSssbauer spectroscopy and transmission electron microscope （TEM）. The results show the medium-frequency pulsating magnetic field will pro- mote nanocrystallization of the amorphous alloy with a lower temperature rise. The nanocrystalline phase is （α-Fe（Co） with bcc crystal structure, and the grain size is about 10 nm. After vacuum annealing at 100 ℃ for 30 min, scattering nanocrystalline phases become more uniform, the coercive force and the saturation magnetization of the specimens are 41.98 A/m and 185.15 emu/g.

Effects of temperature on the mechanical properties of Ti6Al4V powder compacts prepared by magnetic pulse compaction

The effects of temperature （0-500°C） on the compressive strength,hardness,average relative density,and microstructure of Ti6Al4V powder green compacts prepared by magnetic pulse compaction were investigated.The results show that with increasing heating temperature,the compressive strength first increases and then decreases with the maximum value of 976.74 MPa at 400°C.The average relative density and hardness constantly increase,and their values reach 96.11% and HRA 69.8 at 500°C,respectively.The increase of partial welding is found among the junctions of particles inside the compacts; there is no obvious grain growth inside the compacts within the temperature range.

In-situ fabrication of particulate reinforced aluminum matrix composites under high-frequency pulsed electromagnetic field

Pulsed magnetic field is generated when imposing pulse signal on high-frequency magnetic field. Distribution of the inner magnetic intensity in induction coils tends to be uniform. Furthermore oscillation and disturbance phenomena appear in the melt. In. situ Al2O3 and Al3Zr particulate reinforced aluminum matrix composites have been synthesized by direct melt reaction using AlZr（CO3）2 components under a foreign field. The size of reinforced particulates is 2-3 μm. They are well distributed in the matrix. Thermodynamic and kinetic analysis show that high-frequency pulsed magnetic field accelerates heat and mass transfer processes and improves the kinetic condition of in-situ fabrication.

DYNAMIC COMPACTION OF PURE COPPER POWDER USING PULSED MAGNETIC FORCE

The compaction of pure Cu powder was carried out through a series of experiments using dynamic magnetic pulse compaction, and the effects of process parameters, such as discharge energy and compacting direction, on the homogeneity and the compaction density of compacted specimens were presented and discussed. The results indicated that the compaction density of specimens increased with the augment of discharge voltage and time. During unidirectional compaction, there was a density gradient along the loading direction in the compacted specimen, and the minimum compaction density was localized to the center of the bottom of the specimen. The larger the aspect ratio of a powder body, the higher the compaction density of the compacted specimen. And high conductivity drivers were beneficial to the increase of the compaction density. The iterative and the double direction compaction were efficient means to manufacture the homogeneous and high-density powder parts.

The pulsed high magnetic field facility and scientific research at Wuhan National High Magnetic Field Center

Wuhan National High Magnetic Field Center(WHMFC)at Huazhong University of Science and Technology is one of the top-class research centers in the world,which can offer pulsed fields up to 90.6 T with different field waveforms for scientific research and has passed the final evaluation of the Chinese government in 2014.This paper will give a brief introduction of the facility and the development status of pulsed magnetic fields research at WHMFC.In addition,it will describe the application development of pulsed magnetic fields in both scientific and industrial research.

The Power Supply System for HL-2A Tokamak's Magnetic Field

The highpower pulsed power supply system for the magnetic field of the HL-2A Tokamak is described in this paper. The total output power of its eight magnetic field power supply units of nearly 250 MW. Their highest DC output voltage and current are 3510 V and 45 kA, respectively. All the units are operated in a pulsed mode. The pulse duration is 5 s, and the cyclic period is 15 min. The power supply system consists mainly of pulsed flywheel motor generators, rectifying transformers, thyristor converters, diode rectifiers and switches. The system incorporates many key technologies-supply equalization with two generators and four diode bridges, constant-angle phase triggers with a wide frequency range, current equalization, a status detector for the high current 6-phase converter, and advanced monitoring based on a programmable logic computer and engineering parameter measurement. The experimental results show that the performance of the power supply system satisfies the requirements of HL-2A experiments very well.

Numerical and experimental studies on solidification of AZ80 magnesium alloy under out-of-phase pulsed magnetic field

For obtaining the finer grains of magnesium alloy,a novel combined pulsed magnetic field with different initial phases,also called out-ofphase pulsed magnetic field(OPPMF),was applied to study the solidification structure of AZ80 magnesium alloy.The numerical simulation was simultaneously conducted to investigate the refinement mechanisms.The experimental results showed that the macrostructure could be effectively refined by applying external magnetic field.Meanwhile,finer grains were obtained with the higher current intensity.However,the increase of current intensity could only refine the grains to about 0.5 mm.Furthermore,compared to a single pulsed magnetic field(PMF)and alternating series of OPPMF(Connection II),a finer structure was observed when the consecutive series of OPPMF(Connection I)was imposed.In contrast with a single PMF and Connection II,the numerical results showed that the greater axial Lorentz force was obtained under the Connection I,generating the stronger forced flow in the melt.It is believed that abundant nuclei could detach from the mold wall and move faster into the interior melt due to the stronger forced flow;besides,the lower superheat and greater temperature uniformity in bulk melt were realized,accounting for the finest structures under the Connection I.

Optimal Matching of Magnetic Pulse Compressor

Energy transmission efficiency in the magnetic pulse generators varies with saturated time of magnetic switch. An optimal matching time exists and depends on the compression ratio, under which, the energy transmission efficiency can reach approximate 100%. The equation of required magnetic core volume is obtained by taken into account the optimal matching mode. It indicates that a great reduction on the volume is feasible under the optimal matching mode. The circuit simulation code-PSPICE is also introduced to simulate a 3-stage magnetic pulse compressor, and the results are in accordance with those of equivalent circuit analyses.

Microstructure and mechanical properties of Ti6Al4V powder compacts prepared by magnetic pulse compaction

Ti6Al4V powder compaction was performed by using magnetic pulse compaction in air at 200℃.Effects of process parameters such as voltage,capacitance,discharge times on the microstructure,compressive strength,hardness and relative density of compacts were investigated.The experimental results show that the relative density,hardness and compressive strength of compacted specimens increase with increasing voltage.In addition,the relative density and compressive strength of compacted specimens increase with the augmentation of capacitance in the range investigated.The relative density increases,the hardness firstly increases and then tends to be a fixed value;and the compressive strength firstly increases and then decreases from one to five times compaction.Both values of the hardness and compressive strength reach the maxima of HRA 69.1 and 1 062.31 MPa,at three times compaction,respectively.There are pores in and between particles.

Effect of harmonic magnetic field and pulse magnetic field on microstructure of high purity Cu during electromagnetic direct chill casting

The effects of two types of magnetic fields,namely harmonic magnetic field(HMF)and pulse magnetic field(PMF)on magnetic flux density,Lorentz force,temperature field,and microstructure of high purity Cu were studied by numerical simulation and experiment during electromagnetic direct chill casting.The magnetic field is induced by a magnetic generation system including an electromagnetic control system and a cylindrical crystallizer of 300 mm in diameter equipped with excitation coils.A comprehensive mathematical model for high purity Cu electromagnetic casting was established in finite element method.The distributions of magnetic flux density and Lorentz force generated by the two magnetic fields were acquired by simulation and experimental measurement.The microstructure of billets produced by HMF and PMF casting was compared.Results show that the magnetic flux density and penetrability of PMF are significantly higher than those of HMF,due to its faster variation in transient current and higher peak value of magnetic flux density.In addition,PMF drives a stronger Lorentz force and deeper penetration depth than HMF does,because HMF creates higher eddy current and reverse electromagnetic field which weakens the original electromagnetic field.The microstructure of a billet by HMF is composed of columnar structure regions and central fine grain regions.By contrast,the billet by PMF has a uniform microstructure which is characterized by ultra-refined and uniform grains because PMF drives a strong dual convection,which increases the uniformity of the temperature field,enhances the impact of the liquid flow on the edge of the liquid pool and reduces the curvature radius of liquid pool.Eventually,PMF shows a good prospect for industrialization.

Effects of pulsed magnetic field on density reduction of high flow velocity plasma sheath

A three-dimensional model is proposed in this paper to study the effect of the pulsed magnetic field on the density distribution of high flow velocity plasma sheath.Taking the typical parameters of plasma sheath at the height of 71 km as an example,the distribution characteristics and time evolution characteristics of plasma density in the flow field under the action of pulsed magnetic field,as well as the effect of self-electric field on the distribution of plasma density,are studied.The simulation results show that pulsed magnetic field can effectively reduce the density of plasma sheath.Meanwhile,the simulation results of three-dimensional plasma density distribution show that the size of the density reduction area is large enough to meet the communication requirements of the Global Position System(GPS)signal.Besides,the location of density reduction area provides a reference for the appropriate location of antenna.The time evolution of plasma density shows that the effective density reduction time can reach 62%of the pulse duration,and the maximum reduction of plasma density can reach 55%.Based on the simulation results,the mechanism of the interaction between pulsed magnetic field and plasma flow field is physically analyzed.Furthermore,the simulation results indicate that the density distributions of electrons and ions are consistent under the action of plasma self-electric field.However,the quasi neutral assumption of plasma in the flow field is not appropriate,because the self-electric field of plasma will weaken the effect of the pulsed magnetic field on the reduction of electron density,which cannot be ignored.The calculation results could provide useful information for the mitigation of communication blackout in hypersonic vehicles.

Analysis of Graphite Morphology of Gray Cast Iron in Pulse Magnetic Field

By self-made pulse electrical source and strong magnetic field solidification tester, the effect of strong pulse magnetic field on graphite morphology and solidification structure of gray cast iron was studied. The results show that the structure is remarkably refined after treated by pulse magnetic field, and the width of graphite flakes is decreased while the length is increased after a slight decrease. The solidification temperature and eutectic temperature are increased and the undercooling degree of eutectic transformation is decreased by magnetic field.

Pulsed electromagnetic non-destructive evaluation and applications

This paper introduces recent research work in the field of pulsed electromagnetic non-destructive testing/evaluation.These are pulsed eddy current,pulsed magnetic flux leakage and eddy current pulsed thermography.This paper introduces pulsed electromagnetic techniques and their different case studies on defect detection as well as stress characterisation.Experimental tests have been validated and future research plans are discussed.This paper demonstrates pulsed electromagnetic non-destructive testing and evaluation for not only depth information,but also for multiple parameter measurement and multiple integration,which are important for future development.

EFFECT OF TEMPERING IN PULSE MAGNETIC FIELD ON MICROSTRUCTURE AND MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF HIGH SPEED STEEL

Using a self-made pulse magnetic field heat treatment equipment with low or medium intensi- ty,the tempering process of high speed steel W6Mo5Cr4V2 was investigated.It was found that the secondary hardening process and the transformation of retained austenite for the steel were accelerated by the pulse magnetic field,and the tempering period could be reduced to half of the original.It was shown by the analyses of X-ray and eletron microscopy that the precipitation of carbides becomes more homogeneous and dispersive,and the tetragonality of martensite increases obviousely,which causes the improvement of hardness and red-hardness for the steel.It was confirmed that the service life of tools as centre bits,screw taps and punches for nuts could be increased by 0.4 to 1.4 times by the tempering in magnetic field.

Regulation of the density distribution of a strongly dissipative plasma by a pulsed magnetic field

A pulsed transverse magnetic field with pulse width of 12 ms and magnitude of 2 T was used to modify the density distribution of a weakly-ionized plasma flow with strong collisions between the charged particles and neutrals.The morphology of the plasma is changed substantially,with the density increased upstream and decreased downstream.Meanwhile,the plasma toward the axis contracts laterally and gradually converges to a collimated flow.In addition,a drift wave is observed to be excited in the inhomogeneous plasma by the magnetic field.