Numerical simulation of temperature distribution and heat transfer during solidification of titanium alloy ingots in vacuum arc remelting process

In order to get a better understanding of the vacuum consumable arc remelting(VAR) processes and thus to optimize them,a 3D finite element model was developed for the temperature fields and heat transfer of titanium alloy ingots during VAR process.The results show that the temperature fields obtained by the simulation are well validated through the experiment results.The temperature distribution is different during the whole VAR process and the steady-state molten pool forms at 329 s for d100 mm × 180 mm ingots.At the initial stage of remelting,the heat dissipation of crucible bottom plays an important role in the whole heat dissipation system.At the middle of remelting,the crucible wall becomes a major heat dissipation way.The effect of cooling velocity on the solidification structure of ingots was investigated based on the temperature fields and the results can well explain the macrostructure of titanium alloy ingots.

Effects of different helium cooling conditions on the structures of GH4169 alloy vacuum arc remelting ingots

The effects of different helium cooling conditions on the molten pool depth,dendrite structure,and microsegregation of GH4169 alloy ?508 mm vacuum arc remelting( VAR) ingots were studied using an optical microscope and an electron probe. The results show that under different helium cooling conditions,the growth of columnar crystals in the VAR ingot is the same with a certain angle running from the edge to the center and the dendrites at the edges are relatively small whereas the dendrites near the center are large. As the helium cooling increased,the molten pool depth decreased from 137 mm to 120 mm. Observations of the microstructure showed that as the helium cooling increased,the secondary dendrite arm spacing( SDAS) decreased at the center and R/2 region. Also,the Laves phase content markedly decreased. Under the same helium cooling conditions,the SDAS and Laves phase content at the center were higher than that at the R/2 region. Thus,more intense helium cooling effectively reduced segregation in VAR ingots and improved the metallurgical quality.

Mechanism of local solidification time variations with melt rate during vacuum arc remelting process of 8Cr4Mo4V high-strength steel

A 2D axisymmetric numerical model was established to investigate the variations of molten pool with different melt rates during the vacuum arc remelting of 8Cr4Mo4V high-strength steel,and the ingot growth was simulated by dynamic mesh techniques.The results show that as the ingot grows,the molten pool profile changes from shallow and flat to V-shaped,and both the molten pool depth and the mushy width increase.Meanwhile,the variation of both the molten pool shape and the mushy width melt rate is clarified by the thermal equilibrium analysis.As melt rate increases,both the molten pool depth and the mushy width increase.It is caused by the increment in sensible heat stored in the ingot due to the limitation of the cooling capacity of the mold.The nonlinear increment in sensible heat leads to a nonlinear increase in the mushy width.In addition,as melt rate increases,the local solidification time(LST)of ingot decreases obviously at first and then increases.When melt rate is controlled in a suitable range,LST is the lowest and the secondary dendrite arm spacing of the ingot is the smallest,which can effectively improve the compactness degree of 8Cr4Mo4V high-strength steel.

基于MeltFlow-VAR的TC18钛合金铸锭VAR熔炼的数值模拟

真空自耗电弧熔炼的工艺参数显著影响铸锭的冶金质量,采用数值模拟技术可以将复杂的VAR过程可视化,预测工艺参数的合理性,指导实际生产。本文介绍了MeltFlow-VAR模拟软件的电磁场、流场、温度场、湍流混合的理论控制模型,通过对Φ820mm规格TC18钛合金铸锭熔炼工艺参数的仿真模拟研究,掌握了该钛合金熔炼过程中的熔池形貌、熔池深度、化学成分分布和温度场变化规律,以及成品钛合金铸锭中组织的分布特点。

基于相场法模拟VAR强迫流场中柱状晶生长

基于相场法建立了流-热-质全耦合模型,模拟了真空自耗电弧重熔(VAR)过程铸锭柱状晶在强制流场中的生长。对比柱状晶在有无流场条件下的生长特征解析熔体流动对柱状晶生长的影响机制。模拟结果表明:凝固前沿流场速度大小为45μm/s,方向与枝晶生长方向垂直时,二次枝晶表现出“迎流”生长,枝晶干受冲刷作用向下游倾斜;相邻枝晶形成细小涡流,枝晶干上游侧溶质和热量随熔体带入下游侧,上游侧溶质和温度边界层厚度减小,由无流场时的51μm降至31.5μm,温度梯度大促进二次枝晶发展;下游侧边界层溶质和热量富集程度大,边界层厚度增至78μm,梯度减小明显抑制二次枝晶发展。下游溶质浓度高于无流场情况,枝晶生长缓慢增大微观偏析风险。

Effect of feeding parameters on ingot segregation and shrinkage pore in vacuum arc remelting

The feeding parameters in the final stage of vacuum arc remelting process obviously affect the solute segregation and shrinkage pore depth.Coupled with the electromagnetic field,fluid flow,and solute transport,a numerical model was built to investigate the effect of feeding parameters on the ingot solidification phenomena.The Nb segregation and shrinkage pore depth in the solidified ingot were measured.The results show that the liquid moves along the solidification front and the vertex flow is formed in the liquid pool,which promotes solute transport.In the solidified ingot,the Nb segregation in the lower part is negative,while that in the upper part is positive.With the differential electrode applied,the positive segregation is slightly reduced but the segregation distribution remains unchanged.As the feeding current decreases,the positive segregation zone moves toward the ingot top surface,due to the final solidification position moving upward.With the feeding time extended,the positive segregation moves to the top surface and the shrinkage pore depth is reduced.As the feeding time is set at 12 min,the shrinkage pore depth can be reduced to 21 mm.

VAR熔炼纯锆铸锭表面质量控制研究

以实际生产中遇到的纯锆铸锭表面夹层、结疤及冷隔缺陷为出发点,通过数值模拟和工业生产实验相结合的研究方法,确定了较佳的纯锆铸锭真空自耗电弧熔炼(VAR)工艺,明显改善了铸锭的表面质量。研究发现:各熔炼参数主要通过影响熔池形状和坩埚壁附近的熔体温度对铸锭表面质量产生影响;增大熔炼电流可以同时改善熔池到边情况和增加坩埚壁附近熔体的温度;增大稳弧电流和稳弧周期可以促进高温熔体向坩埚壁的运动,使熔池更加饱满,从而提高纯锆铸锭的表面质量。

VAR制备TiAl合金铸锭的高温本构模型及挤压过程的数值模拟

采用Gleeble热压缩试验建立了真空自耗法制备φ220 mm TiAl合金铸锭的高温变形本构方程,将该本构方程嵌入Deform-3D软件后对不同工艺条件下TiAl合金铸锭的热挤压过程进行了数值模拟,获得了在不同模具锥角及不同挤压速度下棒材内的等效应变场、温度场,得出70%变形量下TiAl合金最佳的挤压工艺。研究发现,模具锥角对棒材等效应变场、温度场和均匀变形区尺寸均有较大影响;而挤压速度对棒材等效应变场影响不大,但对棒材的温度场有显著影响。

GH4742合金真空自耗铸锭中夹杂物分布特征

以ϕ570 mm的合金锭作为自耗重熔的电极,通过起弧、稳定熔炼和热封顶三个阶段,制备ϕ660 mm的真空自耗铸锭,熔炼过程共历时860 min。采用场发射电子扫描显微镜和夹杂物自动扫描系统,分析了真空自耗重熔GH4742合金工业铸锭内部及其特征位置(锭冠、搁架、橘皮)处夹杂物的分布规律。结果表明,GH4742合金真空自耗铸锭中夹杂物的类型主要有Ti(C,N)、LaAlO_(3)-Ti(C,N)、Ti(C,N)-(Ti,Nb,Mo)C及LaAlO_(3)-Ti(C,N)-(Ti,Nb,Mo)C四种。夹杂物的尺寸主要以<3μm的小尺寸夹杂物为主,从中心到边缘夹杂物的尺寸逐渐降低,夹杂物的数量密度逐渐增多。铸锭中部中心处夹杂物的尺寸最大,最大平均尺寸为4.14μm。铸锭底部中心处的夹杂物数量最少,数量密度为13.23个/mm^(2)。铸锭锭冠、橘皮及搁架处分布着聚集的氧化物夹杂,这是电极上脱落的氧化物在熔池流动作用下运动到铸锭边缘,被边缘凝固区域捕捉形成的。

钛合金VAR过程电弧等离子体流场的数值模拟

依据磁流体动力学理论,运用ANSYS有限元分析软件对真空自耗电弧熔炼过程电弧区流场进行数值模拟。结果表明:在阳极熔池表面熔炼电弧的温度最高,且其附近电弧区压力随着径向距离的增大而增大,而在熔炼电极表面附近,电弧区压力随着径向距离的增加而减小;弧间距的减小不仅使电弧区的流体流动速度减小,而且还导致环路流动范围减小且向坩埚壁靠近。当电极直径为280 mm,熔炼电压为30 V时,理想熔炼弧长可控制在25～40mm。

Fe_(0.5)CrMnAlCu高熵合金及涂层的组织与性能

采用真空电弧熔炼与冷喷涂辅助感应重熔制备Fe_(0.5)CrMnAlCu高熵合金及涂层。利用XRD、SEM、显微硬度计、磨料磨损实验机对高熵合金及涂层的相结构、微观组织以及耐磨损等性能进行测试分析。结果表明:真空电弧熔炼制备的Fe_(0.5)CrMnAlCu高熵合金为FCC和BCC相固溶体结构,其组织形貌主要为枝晶和枝晶间组织,冷喷涂辅助感应重熔合成Fe_(0.5)CrMnAlCu高熵合金涂层的相结构为单一的BCC结构,其组织形貌为枝晶和枝晶间组织。由于感应重熔合成Fe_(0.5)CrMnAlCu高熵合金涂层较电弧熔炼制备的高熵合金具有更大的晶粒尺寸,同时涂层的原子尺寸差δ大于合金的原子尺寸差,导致感应重熔合成Fe_(0.5)CrMnAlCu高熵合金涂层的硬度是真空电弧熔炼高熵合金的1.37倍,其磨损率比真空电弧熔炼制备的高熵合金磨损率降低18%。真空电弧熔炼与冷喷涂辅助感应重熔制备Fe_(0.5)CrMnAlCu高熵合金及涂层的磨损机制主要是黏着磨损、磨粒磨损。

ϕ690 mm大尺寸GH4738合金真空自耗重熔数值模拟与工业试验

为探究大尺寸高温合金真空自耗重熔工艺,提高铸锭均质化、洁净化水平,采用数值模拟与工业试验相结合的方法,研究了ϕ690 mm锭型GH4738合金真空自耗重熔过程熔池演变、凝固特征以及夹杂物分布规律。结果表明,随着熔炼的进行,模拟的熔池由“浅平”形逐渐向“浅U”形转变,熔炼500 min后,熔池逐渐趋于稳定,冶炼过程最大熔池深度和糊状区宽度分别为200.88、72.38 mm。稳定熔炼期间,铸锭表面和中心的冷却速率分别为0.126、0.009 K/s,高度超过0.4 m后,铸锭冷却速率基本维持稳定。模拟了6种粒径的夹杂物在熔池中的运动轨迹,>20μm的夹杂物在熔池内作螺旋运动,大部分在熔池表面与铸锭侧壁接触面被捕获,≤10μm的夹杂物进入熔池后沿熔池底部向内运动,最终停留在铸锭内部,与工业铸锭检测值基本一致。

影响VAR炉熔炼安全的因素及对策

总结了影响 VAR炉熔炼安全的多种因素 ,通过理论分析 。

VAR过程电弧等离子体的电磁特性研究

依据磁流体动力学及等离子体物理学理论,建立三维有限元模型对VAR过程电弧区电磁场进行数值模拟,并以此分析其对铸锭质量的影响。结果表明,熔炼电极底部的电流密度和电磁力均最大;随着径向距离的增加,熔池表面的电流密度逐渐减小,焦耳热逐渐降低;弧长较大时,熔池表面的电磁力几乎不变;弧长较小时,随着径向距离的增大,电磁力先增大后减小。熔池表面的焦耳热随着弧长的增加而降低,但当弧长由45 mm增至50 mm时,焦耳热降低并不明显。弧压的增加会使得熔池表面的焦耳热增大。

Ф200mm TiAl合金VAR铸锭热变形行为研究

采用Gleeble-1500热模拟试验机研究了应变速率为10^-3～1s^-1、变形温度为1000-1200℃条件下，200mm直径TiAl合金VAR铸锭的热变形行为。结果表明，TLAl合金为负温度敏感和正应变速率敏感材料。当变形温度较低、应变速率较高时，变形过程中易产生绝热剪切带，导致不均匀塑性变形。TiAl合金VAR铸锭热变形过程中，再结晶首先在柱状晶晶界发生，随变形量的增加而增加，再结晶逐渐向晶内扩展，直至发生完全再结晶。

TC4钛合金VAR熔炼过程中夹杂物演变的数值模拟分析

采用MeltFlow软件,对TC4钛合金铸锭在真空自耗电弧熔炼(VAR)过程中不同相对密度及不同直径掉渣、掉块等夹杂物的运动及分布规律进行了数值模拟。通过电极棒中添加海绵钛的方式熔炼铸锭并锻造成棒材开展实验验证,并采用超声波无损探伤方式对缺陷进行检验判定。结果表明,不同相对密度及不同直径的夹杂物在铸锭熔炼中运动及分布规律存在明显差异。大块氧化物夹杂经过一次熔炼并不能完全熔解,最终在棒材上会形成可探伤的缺陷。

Investigation of the stress rupture behavior of GTD-111 superalloy melted by VIM/VAR

The effects of vacuum induction melting(VIM) and vacuum arc remelting(VAR) processes on the microstructure and stress rupture properties of Ni-based GTD-111 superalloy were investigated. Samples of GTD-111 master alloy were melted in VIM and VAR furnaces and then poured into a preheated ceramic mold for VIM melt or into a water-cooled copper mold for VAR melt. The as-cast samples were examined radiographically to ensure that no casting defects were present in the final castings; the samples were then heat-treated using a standard heat-treatment cycle. The microstructure of the samples was investigated using optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy in conjunction with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy for microanalysis. On the basis of standard ASTM-E139, stress rupture tests were carried out at 1000°C under a stress of 300 MPa. The results showed that a γ matrix, fine γ′ precipitates, a γ–γ′ eutectic structure, carbide particles, and some harmful phases such as σ and η phases were present in the as-cast samples. The γ′ precipitates with cubic morphology appeared in the matrix after the standard heat-treatment process. The extent of segregation and the amount of γ–γ′ eutectic structure formed in the VAR-prepared sample were less than in the VIM-prepared sample. The results of stress rupture tests showed that the rupture time for the VAR sample was 43% longer than that for the VIM sample.

Numerical Simulation of Fluid Flow Caused by Buoyancy Forces During Vacuum Arc Remelting Process

The metallurgical structure and composition of ingots which depend critically on the fluid motion within the molten pool during the vacuum arc remelting(VAR)process have important effect on the subsequent mechanical processes like forging,rolling and welding.In order to determine the fluid motion of molten pool,a 2D finite element model is established using ANSYS10.0 software,combined with the turbulent fluid flow and heat transfer.The fluid motion caused by thermo buoyancy forces is investigated at different VAR processes in the present study.The results indicate that the fluid flows symmetrically along the axis of the molten pool and clockwisely along the circle at the right pool’s profile.It is also shown that the maximum velocity increases with increasing melting rate and a direct proportional relationship exists.

Effect of Remelting Current on Molten Pool Profile of Titanium Alloy Ingot During Vacuum Arc Remelting Process

The performance of vacuum arc remelting (VAR) ingot depends largely on ingot structure and chemical uniformity,which are strongly influenced by molten pool profile that is influenced by VAR process.To better understand the effect of remelting current on molten pool profile of titanium alloy ingot during VAR process,a 3D finite element model is developed by the ANSYS software.The results show that there are three remelting stages during VAR process when the remelting current is 2.0 kA.The molten pool depth increases gradually from 30 to 320 s,then the change of molten pool depth is very small during the steady state stage from 320 to 386 s,and lastly the molten pool depth becomes shallow after 386 s.The melting rate and temperature of superheat increase with the remelting current increasing,which leads to the augment of molten pool volume.In the end,the total remelting time and steady state molten pool time decrease with the melting current from 1.6 to 2.8 kA.

钛合金VAR熔炼过程中Al元素烧损差异分析

掌握钛合金熔炼过程中Al元素的烧损差异,有助于控制合金中Al元素含量。通过对TC4、TC18、TC19钛合金铸锭真空自耗电弧(VAR)熔炼过程分析,并根据熔炼过程中热力学及动力学原理推算,分析得出合金组元及含量会影响钛合金液相中Al元素的活度,从而影响Al(l)=Al(g)反应的进行,最终导致Al元素的烧损差异。通过对钛合金铸锭充氩熔炼与真空熔炼过程的分析,得出气相分压不同是造成不同熔炼环境中Al元素烧损差异的首要原因,并根据熔炼过程中热力学及动力学原理进行了验证。