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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Research on the grain refinement under pulsed magnetic field

In this paper,the principle of Pulsed Magnetic Field(PMF) force was analyzed through mathematical analyses.By theoretical analysis and calculation,the results show that the great electromagnetic force is made in the melt under pulsed magnetic field,as well as changing its direction in different places of melt at the same time.It enforces the crystallizing nucleus and brittle crystallite to fragment in the solidification processing.From the point of view,one of the main factors of grain refinement is that the fragmentations occur under a pulsed magnetic field by preliminary judgement. The feasibility of application in the metallurgical industry under PMF was discussed through comparing the results of grain refinement under EMS.According to the theoretic calculation,the power consumption under EMS is 5 -8 times the amount under PMF,when both of magnetic flux density B are 0.07T.That is to say,the better effect on grain refining can be obtained under PMF,compared with EMS,even in the lower power consumption.The solidification experiments of Sn-20%Pb alloy are conducted under the same experimental conditions that the magnetic intensity is 0.07T in the center of the crucible,it also shows that PMF has a better effect on grain refining than EMS. Combined with the continuous casting process,the influence of pulsed parameters and the metallurgical effects with applying PMF at different solidification stages was investigated.There are different grain refining effects under PMF in different solidification stages,and there are different grain refining effects under PMF in different PMF parameters.For the Sn-20%Pb alloy or silicon steel,it is more effective during the initial stage,in which the pulse frequency is 5Hz.For the Sn-20%Pb alloy,the average grain size ofβphase is the smallest,when applying the PMF during the temperature of melt decreasing from 201℃to 184℃.Further investigation of the specified technique parameters for industrial applications are required.

Modelling the unsteady melt flow under a pulsed magnetic field

A numerical model for the unsteady flow under a pulsed magnetic field of a solenoid is developed, in which magnetohydrodynamic flow equations decouple into a transient magnetic diffusion equation and unsteady Navier–Stokes equations in conjunction with two equations of the k–ε turbulent model. A Fourier series method is used to implement the boundary condition of magnetic flux density under multiple periods of a pulsed magnetic field （PMF）. The numerical results are compared with the theoretical or experimental results to validate the model under a time-harmonic magnetic field; it is found that the toroidal vortex pair is the dominating structure within the melt flow under a PMF. The velocity field of a molten melt is in a quasi-steady state after several periods; changing the direction of the electromagnetic force causes the vibration of the melt surface under a PMF.

A 7 T Pulsed Magnetic Field Generator for Magnetized Laser Plasma Experiments

A pulsed magnetic field generator was developed to study the effect of a magnetic field on the evolution of a laser-generated plasma. A 40 kV pulsed power system delivered a fast （-230 ns）, 55 kA current pulse into a single-turn coil surrounding the laser target, using a capacitor bank of 200 nF, a laser-triggered switch and a low-impedance strip transmission line. A one-dimensional uniform 7 T pulsed magnetic field was created using a Helmholtz coil pair with a 6 mm diameter. The pulsed magnetic field was controlled to take effect synchronously with a nanosecond heating laser beam, a femtosecond probing laser beam and an optical Intensified Charge Coupled Device （ICCD） detector. The preliminary experiments demonstrate bifurcation and focusing of plasma expansion in a transverse magnetic field.

Effects of Pulsed Magnetic Field on Microsegregation of Solute Elements in a Ni-Based Single Crystal Superalloy

The effects of a pulsed magnetic field （PMF） on the microsegregation of solute elements during directional solidification of a Ni-based single crystal superalloy were experimentally investigated, and the results show that the PMF significantly affects the microsegregation of Al, Ti, Co, Mo and W elements in the alloy. However, the distribution behavior differs for both positive and negative segregation elements. With the PMF, the microsegregation of negative segregation elements, Co and W, was restrained effectively, while that of positive segregation elements, A1, Ti and Mo, was aggravated. A segregation model was estab- lished to reveal the distribution mechanism of the elements with PME It is considered that, under the action of PME the jumping of solute atoms from the liquid phase to solid phase is hindered, but the jumping of solute atoms from the solid phase into liquid phase is promoted during solidification. As a result, the effective distribution coefficient of the solute atoms is reduced, which leads to the reduction of microsegregation of negative segregation elements and aggravation of microsegregation of positive segregation elements.

Influence of the low voltage pulsed magnetic field on the columnar-to-equiaxed transition during directional solidification of superalloy K4169

The low voltage pulsed magnetic field(LVPMF)disrupts the columnar dendrite growth,and the columnarto-equiaxed transition(CET)occurs during the directional solidification of superalloy K4169.Within the pulse voltage ranging from 100Vto 200 V,a transition from columnar to equiaxed grain was observed,and the grain size decreased as the pulse voltage rised.As the pulse frequency increased,the CET occurred,and the grains were refined.However,the grains became coarse,and the solidification structure was columnar crystal again when frequency increased to 10 Hz.The LVPMF had an optimal frequency to promote CET.The LVPMF on the CET was affected by the withdrawal speed and increasing the withdrawal speed enhances the CET.The distribution of electromagnetic force and flow field in the melt under the LVPMF were modeled and simulated to reveal the CET mechanism.It is considered that the CET should be attributed to the coupling effects of magnetic vibration and melt convection induced by the LVPMF.

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.

Microstructure Refinement of Mg-Gd-Y-Zr Alloy Under Pulsed Magnetic Field

The effects of pulsed magnetic field on the solidified microstructure of Mg-Gd-Y-Zr alloy were investigated. Fine uniform equiaxed grains are acquired in the whole ingot by the pulsed magnetic field treatment,and the average grain size of the as-cast φ50 mm and φ100 mm ingots is refined to 37 μm and 47 μm with the pulsed magnetic field.The macrosegregation of solute elements of Mg-Gd-Y-Zr alloy is also reduced by the pulsed magnetic field treatment. Structure refinement is due to the electromagnetic undercooling zone in front of the solid/liquid interface by the magnetic pressure,and reduction of temperature gradient by the vibration of melt resulted from the pulsed magnetic field,which increases the nucleation rate and prohibits dendrite growth.In addition,primary α-Mg dendrites break into fine crystals, resulting in a refined solidification structure of the magnesium alloys.The Joule heat effect induced in the melt also strengthens the grain refinement effect and the spheroidization of dendrite arms.

Effect of Pulsed Magnetic Field on the Residual Stress of Rolled Magnium Alloy AZ31 Sheet

A novel method of pulsed magnetic field(PMF)treatment was developed to eliminate the residual stress of rolled magnesium alloy AZ31 sheet in this study.The eff ect of PMF on residual stress of rolled AZ31 sheet was investigated and its mechanism was analyzed.The experimental results revealed that the pulse frequency had a significant impact on residual stress.After 10.0 Hz PMF treatment,the average and maximum reduction rates of residual stress along the rolled direction were 26.6%and 30.3%,respectively.It was found that the dislocation density and parallel dislocation in grains of the rolled sheet increased after it was treated by the pulsed magnetic field.The simulation results showed that the Lorentz force generated by the pulsed magnetic field can lead to basal slip,thereby resulting in local plastic deformation.Besides,the Joule heat produced during the PMF treatment was conducive to the elimination of residual stress.

Effect of pulsed magnetic field pre-treatment of AISI 52100 steel on the coefficient of sliding friction and wear in pin-on-disk tests

Disc specimens manufactured from commercial bearing rollers(AISI 52100 steel,62−63 HRC)in initial state and after pre‐treatment by pulsed magnetic field(PMF)with a magnetic field strength of 1−7 MA/m were tested with sunflower oil using pin‐on‐disk apparatus.According to the obtained results the treatment causes a reduction in the coefficient of friction and wear.To explain the results,nano‐and microhardness tests as well as optical and atomic force microscopy were used.Reasons of the effect of PMF on the friction and wear were discussed.

Simulation of the Influence of Pulsed Magnetic Field on the Superalloy Melt with the Solid-Liquid Interface in Directional Solidification

The effect of the pulsed magnetic field on the grain refinement of superalloy K4169 has been studied in directional solidification.In the presence of the solid-liquid interface condition,the distributions of the electromagnetic force,flow field,temperature field,and Joule heat in front of the solid-liquid interface in directional solidification with the pulsed magnetic field are simulated.The calculation results show that the largest electromagnetic force in the melt appears near the solid-liquid interface,and the electromagnetic force is distributed in a gradient.There are intensive electromagnetic vibrations in front of the solid-liquid interface.The forced melt convection is mainly concentrated in front of the solid-liquid interface,accompanied by a larger flow velocity.The simulation results indicate that the grain refinement is attributed to that the electromagnetic vibration and forced convection increase the nucleation rate and the probability of dendrite fragments survival,for making dendrite easily fragmented,homogenizing the melt temperature,and increasing the undercooling in front of the solid-liquid interface.

Al-7Si Alloy Directional Solidification With the Application of a Pulsed Magnetic Field

An experiment on the directional solidification of A1-7Si alloys under the influence of a pulsed magnetic field(PMF)is performed.Maximal peak value of PMF intensity up to 0.226 T between two iron cores was generated when a capacitor bank of 120 μF capacitance with initial voltage of 1000 V was triggered to a pair of solenoids.The PMF decreases the temperature gradient ahead of the liquidus front and increases the width of the mushy zone.In this paper, using Darcy's permeability law and Lehrnann's model,the order of magnitude of the interdendritic liquid flow velocities with the application of PMF is evaluated.

Effects of Pulsed Current and Pulsed Magnetic Field Complex Pretreatment on Martensite Transformation of Cr5Steel during Continuous Cooling

Carbide precipitation and martensite transformation in Cr5 steel have been observed in situ by high-temper- ature confocal laser-scanning microscopy. In this way, the influences of pulsed current and pulsed magnetic field complex pretreatment on carbide precipitation and martensite transformation during continuous cooling have been studied. The results show that the electropulsing complex pretreatment promotes the precipitation of M7 C3-type car- bides at high temperature, increases the start and finish temperatures of martensite transformation, and extends the phase transformation time. Martensite prefers to nucleate in the austenite with less precipitation of carbides due to the chemically homogeneous distribution of solute atoms.