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.

Efects of low frequency electromagnetic ield on surface quality, microstructure and hot-tearing tendency of semi-continuous casting ZK60 magnesium alloy billets

The low frequency electromagnetic field was applied during direct chill(DC) semi-continuous casting of the ZK60 magnesium alloy billets. Effects of low frequency electromagnetic field on surface quality, microstructure and hot-tearing tendency of Φ500 mm ZK60 magnesium alloy billets were investigated. The results showed that with the application of the low frequency electromagnetic field, the surface quality of the ZK60 magnesium alloy billets is markedly improved and the depth of cold fold is decreased. The microstructure of the billets is also significantly refined. Besides, the distribution of the grain size is relatively uniform from the billet surface towards its center, where the average grain size is 42 μm at surface and 50 μm at center. It also shows that the hot-tearing tendency of DC semi-continuous casting ZK60 magnesium alloy billets is significantly reduced under low frequency electromagnetic field.

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.

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 low frequency electromagnetic field on microstructures and macrosegregation of horizontal direct chill casting aluminum alloy

The influences of low frequency electromagnetic field on cast surface, microstructures and macrosegregation in horizontal direct chill(HDC) casting process were investigated experimentally. The cast surfaces, microstructures and macrosegregation of the ingots manufactured by conventional HDC and low frequency electromagnetic HDC casting were compared. The results show that low frequency electromagnetic field significantly improves the surface quality, refines the microstructures and reduces macrosegregation. Further more, increasing electromagnetic intensity or decreasing frequency is beneficial to the improvement. In the range of ampere-turns and frequency employed in the experiments, the optimum ampere-turns is found to be 10 000 A·turn and the frequency to be 30 Hz.

MODELING AND EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH OF FOUR-STRAND LOW-FREQUENCY ELECTROMAGNETIC CASTING ALUMINUM ALLOY

With the aid of ANSYS software, the effect of different mould external part materials on magnetic flux density in the aluminum melt and magnetic field interaction of four coils applied with same currents were investigated. Calculating results showed that magnetic flux density in the aluminum melt was greatly improved and the magnetic field interaction among different coils was decreased when external part of mould is made of soft magnetic material. Based on the finding, a four-strand low-frequency electromagnetic casting 6063 aluminum alloy experiment was carried out in the laboratory . The experiment showed that the surface of the billet was smooth and had no exudations and cold shuts, the as-cast microstructures were fine, uniform, equiaxed, net-globular or globular under low-frequency electromagnetic field. The microstructure becomes finer with increased current value.

Temperature field in the hot-top during casting a new super-high strength Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloy by low frequency electromagnetic process

The billets of a new super-high strength Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloy in 200mm diameter were produced by the processesof low frequency electromagnetic casting (LFEC) and conventional direct chill (DC) casting, respectively. The effects of lowfrequency electromagnetic field on temperature field of the melt in the hot-top were investigated by temperaturemeasurement method. Temperature curves were measured from the surface to the center of the billets by locating type Kthermocouples into the casting during the processes. The results show that during LFEC process the temperature field inthe melt applying the hot-top is very uniform, which is helpful to reduce the difference of thermal gradients between thesurface and the center, and then to reduce the thermal stress and to eliminate casting crack.

Effect of Low Frequency Electromagnetic Field on Macrosegregation of Horizontal Direct Chill Casting Aluminum Alloys

The horizontal direct chill (HDC) casting process is a well-established production route for aluminum alloy ingot but the ingot may suffer from macrosegregation sometimes. In order to control the defect, a low frequency electromagnetic field has been applied in HDC casting process and the relevant influence has been studied. The results show that application of low frequency electromagnetic field can reduce macrosegregation in HDC casting process; and two main parameters of electromagnetic field density and frequency, have great influences on the solution distribution along the diameter of ingot. Moreover, the mechanisms of reduction of macrosegregation by electromagnetic field have been discussed.

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.

Effect of mould material on aluminum alloy ingot quality under low frequency electromagnetic casting

With the aid of ANSYS software, the effect of different mould external part materials on magnetic flux density and electromagnetic body force in the liquid aluminum was investigated. Calculated results showed that magnetic flux density and electromagnetic body force in the aluminum melt are greatly increased when the external part of mould is made from A3 steel. A low-frequency electromagnetic casting 6063 aluminum alloy experiment was conducted in the laboratory with the current value of 120 A and frequency value of 15 Hz. The experiment showed that the microstructure and surface quality of ingots with mould outer part made from A3 steel under low-frequency electromagnetic field are better than that of ingots with mould outer part made from austenitic stainless steel. The surface of the ingots with mould outer part made from A3 steel is smooth and free from exudations and cold shut defects. The as-cast microstructure consists of fine, uniformly distributed equiaxed grains.

Effects of low-frequency magnetic field on grain boundary segregation in horizontal direct chill casting of 2024 aluminum alloy

Effects of low frequency electromagnetic field on grain boundary segregation in horizontal direct chill (HDC) casting process was investigated experimentally. The grain boundary segregation and microstructures of the ingots, which manufactured by conventional HDC casting and low frequency electromagnetic HDC casting were compared. Results show that low frequency electromagnetic field significantly refines the microstructures and reduces grain boundary segregation. Decreasing electromagnetic frequency or increasing electromagnetic intensity has great effects in reducing grain boundary segregation. Meanwhile, the governing mechanisms were discussed.

Coupled Modeling of Electromagnetic Fleld,Fluid Flow,Heat Transfer and Solidification During Conventional DC Casting and Low Ftequency Electrmagnetic Casting of 7xxx Aluminum Alloys

A comprehensive mathematical model has been developed to describe the interaction of the multiple physics fields during the conventional DC casting and LFEC (low frequency electromagnetic casting) process. The model is based on a combination of the commercial finite element package ANSYS and the commercial finite volume package FLUENT, with the former for the calculation of the electromagnetic field and the latter for the calculation of the magnetic driven fluid flow, heat transfer and solidification. Moreover, the model has been verified against the temperature measurements obtained from two 7XXX aluminum alloy billets of 200mm diameter, cast during the conventional DC casting and the LFEC casting processes. In addition, a measurement of the sump shape of the billets were carried out by using addition melting metal of Al-30%Cu alloy into the billets during casting process. There was a good agreement between the calculated results and the measured results. Further, comparison of the calculated results during the LFEC process with that during the conventional DC casting process indicated that velocity patterns, temperature profiles and the sump depth are strongly modified by the application of a low frequency electromagnetic field during the DC casting.

Direct-chilling casting of Mg alloy under electromagnetic and ultrasonic combined field

The effects of low frequency electromagnetic (LFEC) field and ultrasonic (US) field on the microstructures, macrosegregation of alloying elements and the mechanical properties of DC cast AZ80 alloy were studied. The results show that both LFEC and US fields can refine the grains of the billets, which results in the increase in mechanical properties and uniformity of alloying element distribution. The effective refinement takes place on the edge of ingots when LFEC field is applied, while in the center of billets when field US is adopted. Combined the characteristics of LFEC and US fields, a new process for direct-chilling (DC) casting of Mg-electromagnetic-ultrasonic (ECUS) casting is developed, by which the grains are refined significantly and are more uniform in the whole ingots, and the mechanical properties of the ingots are improved.

Effects of electromagnetic field intensity on as-cast microstructures and mechanical properties of Al-Zn-Mg-Cu-Zr alloy

Al-Zn-Mg-Cu-Zr ingots with diameter of 200 mm were made by low frequency electromagnetic casting (LFEC) and conventional direct chill (DC) casting process. The results show that under the low frequency electromagnetic field (25 Hz, 32 mT) the microstructures of LFEC ingot from the border to the center on the cross section are all equiaxed grains, and the grains are much finer and more uniform than that of DC ingot. The magnetic flux density plays an important role in the microstructure formation of LFEC ingots. With increasing the magnetic flux density from 0 mT to 32 mT, grains become finer (from about 120 urn to 30 urn) and more uniform. While, with increasing the magnetic flux density from 32 mT to 46 mT, the grains change much slowly. In the range of experimental parameters, the optimum magnetic flux density for LFEC process is found to be 32 mT.

Low Frequency Electromagnetic Casting of 2195 Aluminum-Lithium Alloy and Its Effects on Microstructure and Mechanical Properties

In this study,the low frequency electromagnetic casting(LFEC) technology was adopted to fabricate 2195 Al-Li alloy.The microstructure and solid solubility of as-cast 2195 alloys,as well as the second phase precipitation and tensile properties after aging,were investiagated and compared with the counterpart direct chill casting 2195 alloy.Our results indicate that LFEC can significantly improve the microstructure and metallurgical quality of as-cast alloy,and increase the number density of θ’(Al2Cu) and T1(Al2CuLi) phases during aging treatment due to the enhanced solubilities of alloying elements.The tensile properties of 2195 aged alloy cast by LFEC were hence improved evidently.

DC casting of light alloys under magnetic fields

The working principle of LFEC（Low frequency electromagnetic casting） process developed in Northeastern University, China was introduced and the metallurgical results of LFEC were discussed according to the casting practices. The low frequency field around the mold produces Lorenz force, which can be divided into two parts： one is the potential force which will be balanced by a pressure gradient of the liquid and results in the formation of a convex surface meniscus and improves the surface quality; the other is the rotary force which stirs the liquid in the mold to refine the microstructures and homogenize the distribution of alloying elements. LFEC can refine microstructures remarkably, improve surface quality of the ingots, depress macrosegregation and eliminate cracks. Some new technologies, such as horizontal direct chill casting under low-frequency electromagnetic field （HLEC）, DC casting of hollow billets under electromagnetic fields （HBEC）, electromagnetic modifying of hypereutectic A1-Si alloys（EMM）, air film casting under static magnetic field （AFCM）, and multi-ingots casting under low-frequency magnetic field （MLFEC） were developed based on LFEC.

Study on As-Cast Structure of DC Casting Aluminum Alloy Under Dual Frequency Electromagnetic Field

The as-cast structures of semi-continuous casting aluminum alloy under dual-frequency electromagnetic field were experimental investigated.The results showed that the electromagnetic fields with different frequency have different function for improving the cast structure of aluminum alloy casting.Imposing medium frequency electromagnetic field can change the surface morphology of melt pool in the casting process,increase the height of melt meniscus,improve the ingot's surface quality,and reduce the thickness of surface segregation.The low frequency electromagnetic field is most obvious to as-cast structure improvement effect because of its high permeability in conductance material.Imposing low-frequency electromagnetic field can change flow pattern and temperature field in the melt,strengthen the heat transfer and mass transfer in the melt,decrease the depth of the sttmp and reduce the temperature gradient.Thus,the as-cast structures are greatly refined,which can lead to the fine equiaxed as-cast structures throughout the cross-section of the ingot.

低频电磁水平连铸新型超高强铝合金

在水平连铸过程中施加低频交变磁场,制备新型超高强铝合金铸锭,利用金相分析方法研究电磁场对铸锭质量的影响。结果表明,电磁场能提高铸锭表面质量,减少宏观偏析,细化宏观和微观组织。低频电磁水平连铸新型超高强铝合金铸锭经过挤压和热处理后屈服强度为742MPa,抗拉强度为758MPa,伸长率为8.5%。

低频电磁水平半连续铸造中磁场的分布及其对宏观偏析的影响

采用数值模拟的方法研究了低频电磁水平半连续铸造7075铝合金中不同强度及频率的磁场在熔体中的分布,并采用试验的方法研究了不同条件的磁场对铸锭宏观偏析的影响。将使用传统水平半连续铸造生产出的铸锭与低频电磁水平半连续铸造生产的铸锭进行了比较。研究结果表明:在传统水平半连续铸造工艺条件下,铸锭中易出现较严重的负偏析及重力偏析;然而,在低频电磁水平半连续铸造过程中,低频电磁场的存在明显削弱了铸锭中的宏观偏析。此外,磁场在熔体中的分布情况将直接影响其作用效果,提高磁场强度及适当降低磁场频率均有利于对宏观偏析的改善。

ZL201合金低频电磁铸造与二次加热的合金组织

采用低频电磁铸造技术制备ZL201合金半固态坯料,研究了电磁场频率以及二次加热温度和保温时间对合金微观组织的影响.结果表明,随着电磁场频率从10 Hz增大到30 Hz,组织的枝晶化趋势逐渐减弱,当电磁场频率为30 Hz时,可以获得均匀、细小的蔷薇状和等轴晶组织.对电磁场频率为30 Hz时铸造的半固态坯料进行二次加热表明,当二次加热温度为630℃,保温20 min后,铸造组织逐渐转变为均匀的近球形组织,具有良好的触变成形性.