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 austempering parameters on microstructure and mechanical properties of horizontal continuous casting ductile iron dense bars

In the present research, the orthogonal experiment was carried out to investigate the influence of different austempering process parameters （i.e. austenitizing temperature and time, and austempering temperature and time） on microstructure and mechanical properties of LZQT500-7 ductile iron dense bars with 172 mm in diameter which were produced by horizontal continuous casting （HCC）. The results show that the major factors influencing the hardness of austempered ductile iron （ADI） are austenitizing temperature and austempering temperature. The fraction of retained austenite increases as the austenitizing and austempering temperatures increase. When austenitizing temperature is low, acicular ferrite and retained austenite can be efifciently obtained by appropriately extending the austenitizing time. The proper austmepering time could ensure enough stability of retained austenite and prevent high carbon austenite decomposition. The optimal mechanical properties of ADI can be achieved with the fol owing process parameters： austenitizing temperature and time are 866 ＆#176;C and 135 min, and austempering temperature and time are 279 ＆#176;C and 135 min, respectively. The microstructure of ADI under the optimal austempering process consists of ifne acicular ferrite and a smal amount of retained austenite, and the hardness, tensile strength, yield strength, elongation and impact toughness of the bars are HBW 476, 1670 MPa, 1428 MPa, 2.93%and 25.7 J, respectively.

Microstructure and properties of ductile iron bars for plunger pump prepared by horizontal continuous casting process

Ductile iron bars(DIBs) with a diameter of 145 mm, used for plunger pump production, were made by the horizontal continuous casting(HCC). The microstructure of the samples cut at three locations with different distances away from the surface(~20 mm from the surface, half of the radius and the center of the HCCDIBs)were investigated. The mechanical properties were measured by tensile and torsion tests. Results show that after the spheroidization of graphite, the iron matrix incorporates the nodules of Format I, Size 8 close to the surface, Format I, Size 7 at the half of the radius from the surface, and Format II, Size 6 in the centre of the bar,according to the ASTM A247 standard. The content of pearlite in the matrix changes from 55%(~20 mm from the surface) to 70%(half of the radius) and 80%(the center of the HCCDIBs). The strengths in tension are 552, 607 and 486 MPa with the elongations of 12.5%, 10.5% and 5.8% in samples cut at these three locations from the surface to the centre, respectively. The strength in torsion is equal to 558, 551 and 471 MPa at corresponding torsion angles of 418°, 384° and 144° respectively to the same distance from the bar surface. Fracture in tension is manifested via crack propagation through the interface between graphite nodules and matrix(Mode I), while in torsion the fracture is caused by the shear of graphite nodules(Mode II). It is shown that the transition between two fracture modes is also dependent on the size of graphite nodule. Typically, fracture Mode I was observed for nodules of smaller diameter(less than 22.7 μm) and fracture Mode II was seen for nodules of greater diameter(more than 24.8 μm).

Hot compressive deformation of eutectic Al-17at%Cu alloy on the interface of the Cu-Al composite plate produced by horizontal continuous casting

On the interface of the Cu-Al composite plate from horizontal continuous casting,the eutectic microstructure layer thickness ac-counts for more than 90%of the total interface thickness,and the deformation in rolling forming plays an important role in the quality of the composite plate.The eutectic microstructure material on the interface of the Cu-Al composite plate was prepared by changing the cooling rate of ingot solidification and the deformation in hot compression was investigated.The results show that when the deformation temperature is over 300℃,the softening effect of dynamic recrystallization ofα-Al is greater than the hardening effect,and uniform plastic deformation of eutectic microstructure is caused.The constitutive equation of flow stress in the eutectic microstructure layer was established by Arrhenius hy-perbolic-sine mathematics model,providing a reliable theoretical basis for the deformation of the Cu-Al composite plate.

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.

Thermal Stress Model of Solidified Shell for Horizontal Continuous Casting Billet

In order to quantify the understanding of crack formation in Horizontal Continuous Casting billet.the two-dimensional unsteady state mathematical model for heat transfer and elas-toplastic stress model have been established.Using these models to calculate the thermal stress which occurred both during surface reheating of 150× 150 mm billet which is just taken out of mold and during temperature drop in billet centre near the end of solidification,the reasonable crack formation criteria for about 0.45%carbon steel have been proposed as follows:In high temperature brittle zone higher than 1300℃,the critical tensile strength is about 170-390 N/cm^2,the critical strain to fracture is about 0.10%- 0.24%.

Microstructure and properties of Al-0.70Fe-0.24Cu alloy conductor prepared by horizontal continuous casting and subsequent continuous extrusion forming

A novel process for manufacturing A1-0.70Fe-0.24Cu alloy conductor was proposed, which includes horizontal continuous casting and subsequent continuous extrusion forming （Conform）. The mechanical properties, electrical conductivity and the compressed creep behaviour of the alloy were studied. The results indicate that the Conform process induces obvious grain refinement, strain-induced precipitation of AI7CuzFe phase and the transformation of crystal orientation distribution. The processed alloy has good comprehensive mechanical properties and electrical conductivity. Moreover, a better creep resistance under the conditions of 90 ~C and 76 MPa is shown compared with pure A1 and annealed copper, and the relationship between primary creep strain and time may comply with the logarithmic law. The enhanced properties are attributed to the grain refinement as well as the fine and homogeneously distributed thermally stable A1Fe and A17Cu2Fe precipitation phases.

Nu m erical Sim ulation of Tem perature Field of Copper and Copper Alloy in Horizontal Continuous Casting

To investigate the temperature distribution and solidification shell profile in a continuous casting process for round bars, transient mathematical models have been developed to describe the thermal process. Then Finite Element Method (FEM) has been applied to simulate the solidification process. Parameters including casting speed, casting temperature and cooling conditions have been analyzed. It is shown that different parameters have different influence on the thermal process and must be carefully controlled in continuous casting process. Finally, the simulated results are compared with the experimental ones.

Microstructure evolution and mechanical properties of Cu-0.36Be-0.46Co alloy fabricated by heating-cooling combined mold horizontal continuous casting during cold rolling

Cu-0.36 wt.%Be-0.46 wt.%Co alloy plate with 300 mm in width and 10 mm in thickness prepared by heating-cooling combined mold(HCCM) horizontal continuous casting was cold rolled. Microstructure evolution and mechanical properties of the alloy as well as its deformation mechanism were investigated. The results showed that the as-cast alloy plate had columnar grains along the length direction, good surface quality and elongation of 35%, which was directly large-reduction cold rolled without surface treatment, and the accumulative cold rolling reduction reached 98%. When the reduction was small(20%), numerous dislocations and dislocation cells formed, and the deformation mechanism was dislocation slip. When the reduction was 40%, deformation twins appeared, and interactions between twins and dislocation cells induced strip-like dislocation cells. When the reduction exceeded 60%, shear bands formed and apparent crystal rotation in the micro-region happened. Further increasing the reduction, the amount of the shear bands rose and they interacted with each other, which refined the grains apparently. The tensile strength and hardness increased from 353 MPa and HV 119 of the as-cast alloy to 625 MPa and HV 208 with 95% reduction, respectively, and the elongation reduced from 35% to 7.6%. A process of HCCM horizontal continuous casting-cold rolling can work as a novel compact method to fabricate Cu-Be alloy sheet.

NUMERICAL SIMULATION OF ALTERNATIVE HORIZONTAL LEVITATION ELECTROMAGNETIC CONTINUOUS CASTING（Ⅱ）

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LATERAL STABILITY OF ALTERNATIVE HORIZONTAL LEVITATION ELECTROMAGNETIC CONTINUOUS CASTING OF ALUMINIUM SHEET

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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.

NUMERICAL SIMULATION ON SOLIDIFICATION OF HORIZONTALLY CONTINUOUSLY CAST IRON BARS

The solidification process of a horizontally continuously cast gray iron bar of 4.6cm in diame- ter was modelled.The function describing the distribution of heat flux at the internal surface of graphite sleeve,which was equal to that on the surface of the iron bar,was inversely derived using numerical calculation from the temperature distribution in the sleeve measured in real production.By using the distribution of heat flux as a boundary condition on the surface of the iron bar,the numerical simulation on solidification of the iron bar taking longitudinal heat conduction into account was made.The profile of solidification front obtained from the numer- ical simulation was approximately coincident with that in real production.In addition,the quantitative relationships of the thickness of solidified shell at the exit of the mold to the main technological parameters,including the temperature of liquid iron at the entrance of the mold, the moving speed of the bar and the intensity of water cooling,were obtained from the numeri- cal simulation.

Effect of electromagnetic stirring on solidification structure of austenitic stainless steel in horizontal continuous casting

An investigation on the influence of low frequency rotary electromagnetic stirring on solidification structure of austenitic stainless steel in horizontal continuous casting was experimentally conducted and carried out on an industrial trial basis. The results show that application of appropriate electromagnetic stirring parameters can obviously improve the macrostructure of austenitic stainless steel, in which both columnar and equiaxed grains can be greatly refined and shrinkage porosity or cavity zone along centerline can be remarkably decreased due to eliminating intracrystalline and enlarging equiaxed grains zone. The industrial trials verify that the electromagnetic stirring intensity of austenitic stainless steel should be higher than that of plain carbon steel. Electromagnetic stirring has somewhat affected the macrostructure of austenitic stainless steel even if the magnetic flux density of the electromagnetic stirring reaches 90 mT （amplitude reaches 141 mT ） in average at frequency f=3-4Hz, which provides a reference for the optimization of design and process parameters when applying the rotary electromagnetic stirrer.

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.

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.

Analysis of inhomogeneity of solidified microstructure of continuous casting copper tubular billet based on factor analysis

The horizontal continuous casting process,the initial step in TP2 copper tubular processing,directly determines the microstructure and properties of copper tubular.However,the process parameters of the continuous casting characterize time variation,multiple disturbances and strong coupling.As a consequence,their influence on a casting billet is difficult to be determined.Due to the above issues,the common factor and special factor analysis of the factor analysis model were used in this study,and the casting experiment and billet metallographic experiment were carried out to diagnose and analyze the reason of the microstructure inhomogeneity.The multiple process parameters were studied and classified using common factor analysis,2 the cast billets with abnormal microstructures were identified by GT^(2) statistics,and the most important factors affecting the microstructural homogeneity were found by special factor analysis.The calculated and experimental results show that the principal parameters influencing the inhomogeneity of solidified microstructure are the primary inlet water pressure and the primary outlet water temperature.According to the consequence of the above investigation,the inhomogeneity of the copper billet microstructure can be effectively improved when the process parameters are controlled and adjusted.

Solidification microstructure of M2 high speed steel by different casting technologies

The present work investigated the solidification microstructure of AISI M2 high speed steel manufactured by different casting technologies, namely iron mould casting and continuous casting. The results revealed that the as-cast structure of the steel was composed of the iron matrix and the M2C eutectic carbide networks, which were greatly refined in the ingot made by continuous casting process, compared with that by the iron mould casting process. M2C eutectic carbides presented variation in their morphologies and growth characteristics in the ingots by both casting methods. In the ingot by iron mould casting, they have a plate-like morphology and grow anisotropically. However, in the ingot made by continuous casting, the carbides evolved into the fiber-like shape that exhibited little characteristics of anisotropic growth. It was noticed that the fiber-like M2C was much easier to decompose and spheroidize after heated, as a result, the carbides refined remarkably, compared with the case of plate-like carbides in the iron mould casting ingot.

Wear behavior of bainite ductile cast iron under impact load

The dry impact wear behavior of bainite ductile cast iron was evaluated under three different impact loads for 30000 cycles. The strain-hardening effects beneath the contact surfaces were analyzed according to the surfaces＇ micro-hardness profiles. Scanning electron microscopy （SEM） and X-ray diffraction （XRD） were used to observe the wom surfaces. The results indicated that the material with the highest hardness was the one continuously cooled at 20℃, which exhibited the lowest wear rate under each set of test conditions. The hardness of the worn surface and the thickness of the hardened layer increased with the increases in impact load and in the number of test cycles. The better wear performance of the sample cooled at 20℃ is attributed to its finer microstructure and superior mechanical properties. All the samples underwent the transformation induced plasticity （TRIP） phenomenon after impact wear, as revealed by the fact that small amounts of retained austenite were detected by XRD.

Optimizing hardenability of high chromium white cast iron

The formulas proposed by J. Dodd and J. L. Parks for calculating the hardenability of high-Cr white cast iron under continuous cooling condition was recommended. For broader application, some supplements were made to the formula. Through tests on the half-cooling time of typical castings, the compositions of ideal alloys were precisely designed using the Dodd’s formula. Hardness testing of heat-treated castings showed that the designed compositions were correct. The application of castings demonstrated excellent abrasion resistance.