Two Dimension Finite Element Simulations on the Electromagnetic Containment in Twin-Roll Strip Casting

Distribution of magnetic field and electromagnetic force in twin-roll casting of steels was studied by the method of numericalsimulation in this paper. Two-dimension finite element model, which includes the regions of melt, stainless collar, coil andmagnetic core, has been constructed. By solving magnetic vector potential formulations of quasi-static electromagnetic field,distribution of magnetic flux density and magnetic force at different molten height is determined. Calculated results showedthat intensity of the distribution of magnetic flux density increased linearly with the increased coil current; and the magneticforce in the melt increased as a quadratic cure with creased coil current. More attention was given to the distribution of eddycurrent and magnetic force in the melt, the confine effect at different molten height was also discussed.

Electromagnetic Dam in Twin-Roll Strip Caster

The electromagnetic dam （EMD） in twin-roll strip caster was simulated with FEM. The results show that the direction and magnitude of Lorentz force distributing in the EMD changed in a period. The negative part is about 30% of the positive part, and the acting time of the negative force is about 40% of a period. In order to prevent the liquid steel from leaking efficiently, the distance between two poles should be the same from the top to the bottom of the EMD, otherwise the magnetic induction will be very small at the top and large at the bottom.

Effects of annulus gap on flow and temperature field in electromagnetic direct chill casting process

A comprehensive mathematical model of annulus-electromagnetic direct chill （A-EMDC） casting of A357 aluminum alloy was established with corresponding experimental verification. The model was based on a combination of the commercial finite element package ANSYS and the commercial finite volume package FLUENT. The effects of structural parameters on fluid flow, temperature field and solidification during A-EMDC process were investigated numerically. The results show that structural parameters such as annulus gap width, annulus gap position, and centre pipe length influence the flow and temperature fields. The smaller the annulus gap width is, the more uniform the temperature is, and the smaller the temperature gradient is. With increasing the centre pipe length, the circular flow would decrease due to the dislocation of centre pipe. Specially, when the annulus gap is located at periphery of the billet, the temperature gradient of the longitudinal direction in the solidification region falls evidently.

Heat transfer behavior of AZ80-1%Y alloy during low-frequency electromagnetic casting

Heat transfer behaviors of AZ80?1%Y alloy during low frequency electromagnetic casting (LFEC) and direct chilling casting were studied by in-situ temperature measurement. The results demonstrated that the low frequency electromagnetic field (EM) caused forced convection in the melt during LFEC. The forced convection led to uniform solidification velocity and temperature field. EM frequency, excitation current intensity and casting temperature could control the heat transfer behavior. The forced convection could improve the microstructure and degrade the difference in microstructure between the edge and center of billet. Appropriate parameters of low frequency EM for casting Mg alloy are 20 Hz of frequency and 60 A of electric current intensity.

Simulation of microstructures in solidification of aluminum twin-roll casting

Based on the research on the solidification of twin-roll continuous casting aluminum thin strip, the analytical model of heterogeneous nucleation, the growth kinetics of tip （KGT） and columnar dendrite transformation to equiaxed dendrite （CET） of twin-roll continuous casting aluminum thin strip solidification was established by means of the principle of metal solidification and modem computer emulational technology. Meantime, based on the cellular automaton, the emulational model of twin-roll continuous casting aluminum thin strip, solidification was established. The foundation for the emulational simulation of twin-roll casting thin strip solidification structure was laid. Meanwhile, the mathematical simulation feasibility was confirmed by using the solidification process of twin-roll continuous casting aluminum thin strip.

Production of super-high strength aluminum alloy billets by low frequency electromagnetic casting

The effects of low frequency electromagnetic field on the macro-physical fields in the semi-continuous casting process of aluminum alloys and the microstructure and crack in the billets were studied and analyzed by the numerical and experimental methods.Comparison of the results for the macro-physical fields in the low frequency electromagnetic casting（LFEC） process with the conventional DC casting process indicates the following characters due to the application of electromagnetic field：an entirely changed direction and remarkably increased velocity of melt flow;a uniform distribution and a decreased gradient of temperature;elevated isothermal lines;a reduced sump depth;decreased stress and plastic deformation.Further,the microstructure of the billets is refined remarkably and the crack in the billets is eliminated in LFEC process because of modification of the macro-physical fields induced by the application of low frequency electromagnetic field.

Three-dimensional modeling of effect of surface intermetallic phase on surface defects of Al-Fe-Si aluminum foils during twin-roll casting

Scanning electron microscopy and X-ray energy dispersive spectrum analysis show that the clusters of intermetallic AlFeSi particle are distributed on or near the aluminum foil stock surfaces heterogeneously. 3D finite element modeling shows that these clusters of hard particles induce the fracture of the nano-scale lubricant oil film at first and further lead to severe deformation in the nearby aluminum foil substrate along the rolling direction. Consequently, the optical property in this region differs from that in the surroundings, resulting in surface defects.

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 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.

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.

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.

Hot top electromagnetic casting research of Al thin slab

The hot top EMC (electromagnetic casting) method was put forward, namely, the shape of top liquid column was formed by the hot top in the screen and the semi suspended liquid column was formed by the electromagnetic force nearby the liquid solid interface frontier. Using the numerical simulating technique, the temperature distribution was discussed, the effect of parameters such as upper conduct distance (UCD), cooling water rate of flow, pouring temperature and liquid column height on casting velocity were studied, the relationship among them was confirmed finally. According to the calculated results, the hot top EMC shaping system was designed and a lot of experiments were performed. The pure Al thin slabs of 480 mm×20 mm×850 mm were made successfully. The result showed that the casting velocity curve obtained experimentally almost coincides to the calculated one.

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.[

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.

Numerical simulation of the temperature fields of stainless steel with different roller parameters during twin-roll strip casting

The temperature field of stainless steel during twin-roll strip casting was simulated by experiment and a finite element （FE） model. By comparing the measured result with the simulated values, it is found that they fit close to each other, which indicates this FE model is effective. Based on this model, the effects of roll gap （t） and roll radius （R） on solidification were simulated. The simulated results give the relationship between t or R and the position of the freezing point. The larger the t is and the smaller the R is, the closer the position of the freezing point is to the exit.

Water Modeling of Twin-Roll Strip Casting

Twin-roll strip casting is regarded as a prospective technology of near net shape continuous casting. The fluid flow field and level fluctuation in the pool have a strong influence not only on composition and temperature homogeneity of pool, but also on the strip quality. A 1 ： 1 water model of a twin-roll strip caster was set up based on the criteria of Froude number and Reynold number similarity. The level fluctuation was measured. The influence of pool depth, casting speed and feeding system configuration on level fluctuation in the pool was studied. The experimental results provided a basis for the optimization of feeding system and process parameters.

MICROSTRUCTURE AND PROPERTIES OF ZL201 ALLOY OBTAINED BY NEAR-LIQUIDUS ELECTROMAGNETIC CASTING

The microstructures of ZL201 alloy slurry prepared by near-liquidus electromagnetic casting （NLEMC）, electromagnetic casting（EMC）, and near-liquidus casting（NLC） were investigated by means of electron microscopy and image analysis. Mechanical properties of as-cast alloys were determined. The results show that the NLEMC induces a fine, uniform, and equiaxed grain structure with a mean equal-area-circle grain diameter of 32.8μm. The as-cast aUoy has a hardness of HV122.8 and a tensite strength of 368MPa. Both of them are betterthan those of the alloys prepared by EMC and by NLC. The mechanism of grain refinement in the NLEMC alloy slurry was discussed.

Simulation of Fluid Flow, Heat Transfer and Micro-Segregation in Twin-roll Strip Casting of Stainless Steel

In twin-roll strip casting process, metal flow and temperature distribution in the molten pool directly affect the stability of the process and the quality of products. In this paper, a 3D coupled thermal-flow fenite element modeling （FEM） simulation for twin-roll strip casting of stainless steel was performed. Influences of the pouring temperature and casting speed on the temperature fields were obtained from the numerical simulation. The micro-segregation of the solutes during the strip casting process of stainless steel was also simulated. A developed micro-segregation model was used to calculate the micro-segregation of solutes in twin-roll casting of stainless steel. The relationship between the solidus fraction in solidification and temperature was given, which was used to determine the LIT （liquid impermeable temperature）, ZST （zero strength temperature） and ZDT （zero ductility temperature） in the period of non-equilibrium solidification. The effect of temperature on the micro-segregation was discussed. According to the computational results, the solidification completion temperature in the twin-roll strip casting of stainless steel was then determined, which can provide a basis for controlling the location of solidification completion temperature and analysing the crack of the casting strip.

EFFECT OF LOW-FREQUENCY ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELD ON THE AS-CASTING MICROSTRUCTURES AND MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF HDC 2024 ALUMINUM ALLOY

The influences of the low frequency electromagnetic field on the horizontal direct chill casting process were investigated experimentally. Ingots of 2024 aluminum alloy with a cross size of 40 mm× 200 mm were produced by the conventional horizontal chill casting process and low frequency electromagnetic horizontal chill casting processre- spectively. The as-cast structures and the mechanical property of the ingots were examined. The results showed that the low frequency electromagnetic field could sub- stantially refine the microstructures and pronouncedly reduce the macrosegregation in the horizontal direct chill casting process. Moreover, the surface quality of the ingot was prominently improved by the low frequency electromagnetic field. The fracture strength and elongation percentage of the ingot was increased with the low frequency electromagnetic field.

EFFECTS OF ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELD ON CASTING-ROLLING STRIP BREAKDOWNS

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