Solidification of horizontally continuous casting of super-thin slab in stable magnetic field and alternating current

The solidified structures of horizontally continuous casting（HCC） of super-thin slab and its relations with the current were studied under the electromagnetic vibration（EMV）.The results show that,under the action of the periodical forces from EMV,the solidified structures of the super-thin slab of pure tin is greatly refined,and the extent of grain refinement is increased with the magnitude of alternating current.For the Sn-10%Pb alloy,it is shown that the EMV promotes the growth of equiaxed grains in the center of super-thin slab,and the grains are refined with the alternating current increasing.This is useful to prevent some solidification defects in the horizontally continuous casting of super-thin slab,such as columnar grains butting,porosity,inclusions and gases gathering,and composition segregation in the centre of slab.

Study on Multiple Electromagnetic Continuous Casting of Aluminum Alloy

To obtain semi-solid Al alloy billet with high quality, an investigation was carried out by imposing a multiple magnetic field from the outside of a copper mold in the continuous casting. AISi6Mg2 alloy designed for semi-solid metal （SSM） processing was continuously cast through a submerged entry nozzle under various conditions. Effects of multiple magnetic field on meniscus motion, temperature distribution and billet quality were examined. The experimental results showed that meniscus disturbance caused by electromagnetic stirring could be controlled effectively and the surface quality of semi-solid AI alloy billet was improved greatly, and an uniformly fine, globular microstructure across the transverse section of the billet was achieved by optimizing the distribution of multiple magnetic field.

THE COMPUTATION AND EXPERIMENT ANALYSIS OF ELECTROMAGNETIC CONTINUOUS CASTING WITH SOFT-CONTACTED MOULD

In this paper, coupling the quasi-3D numerical simulation of electromagnetic field and the experiments of continuous casting with soft-contacted mould with some metals such as tin, aluminum, copper and steel, the electromagnetic characteristics of continuous casting with soft-contacted mould is analyzed. It is shown that the electromagnetic pressure on the surface of billet is increasing with the rising of power frequency as a logarithmically parabolic function, with that of electric conductivity of billet as a power junction, and with that of the current in inductor as a parabolic junction.

A high-Nb TiAl alloy with highly refined microstructure and excellent mechanical properties fabricated by electromagnetic continuous casting

In the present research, microstructure refinement of a high-Nb TiAl alloy （Ti-48Al-8Nb-0.15B） was realized by means of the electromagnetic continuous casting （EMCC） technique. The microstructure of an ingot obtained by EMCC was analyzed using scanning electron microscopy （SEM）. As compared with the raw as-cast alloy, the obtained EMCC alloy presented a much finer microstructure with lamellar colonies with a mean size of about 50-70 μm because the electromagnetic stirring broke initial dendrites and enhanced the heterogeneous nucleation. As the grains were refined, the properties of the TiAl alloy were improved significantly. This implies that the EMCC technique could offer the possibility of application for high-Nb TiAl alloys with a refined microstructure and excellent properties to be used as a structural material.

EFFECT OF INTERMITTENT HIGH FREQUENCY MAGNETIC FIELD ON INITIAL SOLIDIFICATION IN CONTINUOUS CASTING

Contacting state between molten metal and a mold and initial solidification process of continuously cast metals can be controlled by imposing an intermittent magnetic field.In this study, effect of the intermittent magnetic field on the initial solidification ofcontinuoasly cast metals was investigated by measuring the temperature distribution in the melt pool and the initial solidification starting position of shells. It was found that under the condition with intermittent magnetic field, the melt near meniscns is in slow cooling state, the initial solidification starting position descends, initial solidification shell thickens and the liquid-solid interface becomes smooth.

REVISED k-ε TURBULENCE MODEL IN ELECTROMAGNETIC CONTINUOUS CASTING OF MELT

The research is motivated by the ongoing the electromagnetic continuous casting of molten metal. The revised k-ε model considering the effect of magnetic field application was derived. The specific model equations for the electromagnetic braking were used to calculate the velocity distribution in the continuous casting mold of steel. The results show that the revised k-ε model considering the effect of magnetic field application tends to suppress the production of turbulence and difference between the conventional and revised k-e model is small.

Technical parameters in electromagnetic continuous casting of aluminum alloy

The temperature field of aluminum ingot during electromagnetic continuous casting was calculated by the numerical method, and the effects of cooling water strength, position of the cooling water holes and pouring temperature as well as induction heat on casting speed, were studied. The results show that among the technical parameters the distance from the position of the cooling water holes to the bottom of the mold is the most important factor, whose change from 20 mm to 15 mm and from 15 mm to 10 mm causes the setting rate increasing respectively by 0.14 mm/s and 0.3 mm/s.The calculated results also agree with the experiment well. The simulation program can be used to determine technical parameters of electromagnetic casting of aluminum ingot effectively.

Research on horizontal electromagnetic continuous casting of copper tube blanks

The effect of commercial frequency electromagnetic field on the solidification structure and mechanical propertiesof copper hollow blanks prepared by horizontal continuous casting method was investigated. The results show thatwhen the electromagnetic field is imposed, columnar grains are evidently refined and fine equiaxed grains areobtained in the inner side of the cross-section. Moreover, with the increase of input current, the equiaxed grain regionwidens and the grains distribute more uniformly in the circumferential direction. Meanwhile, the mechanical properties areremarkably improved by the application of electromagnetic field. When the input current is 140 A, the tensile strengthincreases 15% and the elongation increases 10%. However, the electromagnetic field has no effect on the distribution ofmicroelements.

Horizontal continuous casting process under electromagnetic field for preparing AA3003/AA4045 clad composite hollow billets

A modified horizontal continuous casting process under the electromagnetic field was proposed for preparing AA3003/ AA4045 clad composite hollow billets. To investigate the effect of electromagnetic field on this process, a comprehensive three-dimensional model was developed. Two cases with and without electromagnetic field were compared using the simulations. When rotating electromagnetic stirring is applied, the flow pattern of fluid melt is greatly modified; the mushy zone becomes much wider, the temperature profile becomes more uniform, and the solid fraction decreases for both the external and internal alloy melt layers. These modifications are beneficial for the formation of a bimetal interface and fine and uniform grain structure of the clad composite hollow billet. Experiments conducted using the same electrical and casting parameters as the simulations verify that under the electromagnetic field the microstructure of the clad composite hollow billet becomes fine and the diffusion of the elements at the interface is promoted.

Numerical Simulation of Heat Transfer and Deformation of Initial Shell in Soft Contact Continuous Casting Mold Under High Frequency Electromagnetic Field

Heat transfer and deformation of initial solidification shell in soft contact continuous casting mold under high frequency electromagnetic field were analyzed using numerical simulation method; the relative electromagnetic parameters were obtained from the previous studies. Owing to the induction heating of a high frequency electromagnetic field （20 kHz）, the thickness of initial solidification shell decreases, and the temperature of strand surface and slit copper mold increases when compared with the case without the electromagnetic filed. The viscosity of flux de- creases because of the induction heating of the high frequency electromagnetic field, and the dimension of the flux channel increases with electromagnetic pressure; thus, the deformation behavior of initial solidification shell was different before and after the action of high frequency electromagnetic field. Furthermore, the abatement mechanism of oscillation marks under high frequency electromagnetic field was explained.

Effect of low-frequency rotary electromagnetic-field on solidification structure of continuous casting austenitic stainless steel

To understand the solidification behavior of austenitic stainless steel in rotary electromagnetic-field, the influence of low-frequency rotary electromagnetic-field on solidification structure of austenitic stainless steel in horizontal continuous casting was investigated based on industrial experiments. The results show that the solidification structure of austenitic stainless steel can be remarkably refined, the central porosity and shrinkage cavity can be remarkably decreased, and the equiaxed grains zone are enlarged by means of application of appropriate low-frequency electromagnetic-field parameters. The industrial trials verify that the stirring intensity of austenitic stainless steel should be higher compared with that of plain carbon steel. Electromagnetic stirring affects the macrostructure even if the average magnetic flux density of the electromagnetic stirring reaches 90 mT (amplitude reaches 141 mT) with the frequency of 3-4 Hz. Due to a higher viscosity, rotating speed of molten stainless steel is 20%-30% lower than that of molten carbon steel in the same magnetic flux density.

Meniscus Behavior in Electromagnetic Soft-Contact Continuous Casting Round Billet Mold

Using molten Pb-Sn-Bi alloy, the meniscus shape under high frequency magnetic field of φ100 mm round billet caster was investigated. The effect of some parameters on meniscus shape was studied. The results show that for a mold with 12 segments, the meniscus shape is relatively stable. With increasing power input, the menis- cus height increases with intensification of fluctuation. For the given caster, the reasonable power input is about 70 kW. The coil should be near to the top of mold and/or the initial meniscus should be near to the center of the coil. The lower the frequency, the higher is the meniscus height. With increasing frequency, the free surface is more flattened and meniscus becomes more stable. In practice, the power input should be increased simultaneously with frequency. The optimal frequency is about 20 kHz.

Numerical Prediction on the Flow Field of Molten Steel and the Trajectory of Inclusion in Continuous Casting Mold Effected by Electromagnetic Field

Through coupling electromagnetic field equations with turbulent flow equations,the numerical prediction has been conducted on the flow field of molten steel and the trajectory of inclusion particle in the continuous casting mold effected by electromagnetic field.The difference between the maximum and the minimum of the shear stress on mold wall is used to scale the impingement strength of molten steel discharged from immersed nozzle to the solidifying shell on the narrow wall of mold.The flow field of molten steel in the mold is changed greatly and the impingement strength of the jet is reduced while electromagnetic field is applied.It is found that the successful control of flow field depends on the current and location of coil.At the same time,the new floating paths of inclusion particles are formed and the upward particles that are far away from the solidifying zone on the narrow wall of mold change their moving directions with the change of flow field,so that the particles can avoid being entrapped by the solidifying shell.

Effect of Middle-frequency Electromagnetic Field on the Semi-continuous Casting for ZK60 Billets

The semi-continuous casting of ZK60 magnesium alloy under different middle frequency electromagnetic field conditions was examined.Effects of middle frequency electromagnetic field on microstructure,precipitations and tensile properties are investigated.The results show that the microstructures of ZK60 magnesium alloy are refined and distribution uniformity of precipitations is observed after applying the middle frequency electromagnetic field.And the tensile properties of the billets produced by middle frequency electromagnetic field are increased.

Numerical simulation of fluid flows in a slab continuous casting mold under electromagnetic stirring

This study established a three-dimensional mathematical model to determine the fluid flow in a slab continuous casting mold under an electromagnetic stirring force. The flow structure and distribution were studied with respect to different continuous casting parameters and stirring current. Based on the calculation results, the mold flux entrapment index in free surface and velocity uniformity index were used to evaluate the flow field in the mold. The theoretical basis for the optimization of the flow field structure was provided. The study also suggested an optimization method for electromagnetic stirring parameters.

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.

Electromagnetic continuous casting by imposing multi-electromagnetic field

In order to obtain cast metal of high quality, an investigation was carried out by simultaneous imposition of multi electromagnetic fields from the outside of a cold crucible copper mold. Sn 4.5%Pb as a simulator of high melting point metal was continuously cast under different conditions. The results show that multi electromagnetic fields can eliminate surface defects, and coarse columnar grains of the solidification structure is turned into equiaxed crystal with the increase of magnetic flux density. Moreover, finer equiaxed crystal structure is obtained when rapidly solidified sheet is fed into the mold during continuous casting.[

Effect of electromagnetic field on macrosegregation of continuous casting 7075 alloy

The effect of electromagnetic field on macrosegregation of continuous casting aluminum alloy was studied. 7075 aluminum alloy ingot with diameter of 200 mm was produced by electromagnetic casting. Magnitude of coil current was varied from 100 A to 600 A, and frequency from 10 Hz to 100 Hz. Variation of element content along the radius of ingot was examined by means of chemical analysis. The results show that electromagnetic casting process can effectively reduce the macrosegregation, and electromagnetic frequency has a great influence on element distribution along the radius of ingot. When frequency is 30 Hz, macrosegregation is eliminated completely.

Effect of Electromagnetic Frequency on Microstructures of Continuous Casting Aluminum Alloys

The relationship between electromagnetic frequency and microstructures of continuous casting aluminum alloys was studied. 7075 aluminum alloy ingot of 100 mm in diameter was produced by electromagnetic continuous casting process, the microstructures of as-cast ingot was examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) equipped with energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS). The results showed that electromagnetic frequency greatly influenced segregation and microstructures of as-cast ingot, and product quality can be guaranteed by the application of a proper frequency. Electromagnetic frequency plays a significant role in solute redistribution; low frequency is more efficient for promoting solution of alloying elements.

Analysis of cracking phenomena in continuous casting of 1Cr13 stainless steel billets with final electromagnetic stirring

Solidification cracking that occurs during continuous casting of 1Cr13 stainless steel was investigated with and without final elec- tromagnetic stirring （F-EMS）. The results show that cracks initiates and propagates along the grain boundaries where the elements of carbon and sulfur are enriched. The final stirrer should be appropriately placed at a location that is 7.5 m away from the meniscus, and the appropri- ate thickness of the liquid core in the stirring zone is 50 ram. As a stirring current of 250 A is imposed, it can promote colurnnar-equiaxed transition, decrease the secondary dendrite arm spacing, and reduce the segregation of both carbon and sulfur. F-EMS can effectively de- crease the amount of cracks in 1Cr13 stainless steel.