Effect of wide-spectrum pulsed magnetic field on grain refinement of pure aluminium

A wide-spectrum pulsed magnetic field(WSPMF)was obtained by adjusting the number of current pulses and the pulse interval between adjacent pulses.The effect of WSPMF on the grain refinement of pure aluminium was studied.The distribution of electromagnetic force and flow field in the melt under the WSPMF was simulated to reveal the grain refining mechanism.Results show that the grain refinement is attributed to the combined effect of the melt flow and oscillation under a WSPMF.When the pulse interval is 5 ms,the extreme value of electromagnetic force is the highest,and the size of the crystal nucleus is 0.35 mm.In the case of similar flow rates,the grain size gradually decreases as the pulse interval increases.The range of the harmonic frequency of the magnetic field gradually expands with the increase of the pulse interval,which can provide more energy for nucleation at the solid-liquid interface and promote nucleation.

As-cast structure and tensile properties of AZ80 magnesium alloy DC cast with low-voltage pulsed magnetic field

The effects of a low-voltage pulsed magnetic field on the solidified structure and mechanical properties of DC casting AZ80 magnesium alloy were investigated.The results showed that the solidified structure of the DC casting AZ80 magnesium alloy was refined obviously by the low-voltage pulsed magnetic field and significant grain refinement in the DC casting ingot of AZ80 magnesium alloy was achieved.Meanwhile,the morphology of the dentritic in the DC casting ingot was transformed from coarse dentritic to fine rosette with the application of low-voltage pulsed magnetic field.The ability of deformation of the ingot was enhanced and especially the plasticity of the ingot center after upsetting was improved greatly by more than 80%after deformation.

Grain refinement of as-cast superalloy IN718 under action of low voltage pulsed magnetic field

The grain refinement of superalloy IN718 under the action of low voltage pulsed magnetic field was investigated. The experimental results show that fine equiaxed grains are acquired under the action of low voltage pulsed magnetic field. The refinement effect of the pulsed magnetic field is affected by the melt cooling rate and superheating. The decrease of cooling rate and superheating enhance the refinement effect of the low voltage pulsed magnetic field. The magnetic force and the melt flow during solidification are modeled and simulated to reveal the grain refinement mechanism. It is considered that the melt convection caused by the pulsed magnetic field, as well as cooling rate and superheating contributes to the refinement of solidified grains.

Unconventional room-temperature negative magnetoresistance effect in Au/n-Ge:Sb/Au devices

Non-magnetic semiconductor materials and their devices have attracted wide attention since they are usually prone to exhibit large positive magnetoresistance(MR)effect in a low static magnetic field environment at room temperature.However,how to obtain a large room-temperature negative MR effect in them remains to be studied.In this paper,by designing an Au/n-Ge:Sb/Au device with metal electrodes located on identical side,we observe an obvious room-temperature negative MR effect in a specific 50 T pulsed high magnetic field direction environment,but not in a static low magnetic field environment.Through the analysis of the experimental measurement of the Hall effect results and bipolar transport theory,we propose that this unconventional negative MR effect is mainly related to the charge accumulation on the surface of the device under the modulation of the stronger Lorentz force provided by the pulsed high magnetic field.This theoretical analytical model is further confirmed by regulating the geometry size of the device.Our work sheds light on the development of novel magnetic sensing,magnetic logic and other devices based on non-magnetic semiconductors operating in pulsed high magnetic field environment.

Grain refinement of pure aluminum by direct current pulsed magnetic field and inoculation

The combined effects of direct current pulsed magnetic field （DC-PMF） and inoculation on pure aluminum were investigated, the grain refinement behavior of DC-PMF and inoculation was discussed. The experimental results indicate that the solidification micro structure of pure aluminum can be greatly refined under DC-PMF. Refinement of pure aluminum is attributed to electromagnetic undercooling and forced convection caused by DC-PMF. With single DC-PMF, the grain size in the equiaxed zone is uneven. However, under DC-PMF, by adding 0.05% （mass fraction） Al5Ti-B, the grain size of the sample is smaller, and the size distribution is more uniform than that of single DC-PMF. Furthermore, under the combination of DC-PMF and inoculation, with the increase of output current, the grain size is further reduced. When the output current increases to 100 A, the average grain size can decrease to 113 μn.

INFLUENCE OF PULSED MAGNETIC FIELD ON MICROSTRUC-TURES AND MACRO-SEGREGATION IN 2124 Al-ALLOY

The structures and macro-segregation of 2124 Al-alloy were studied when a pulsed magnetic field (PMF) was applied during solidification. It is found through experi-ments that a remarkable change occurs in the solidification structures of 2124 Al-alloy under pulsed magnetic field. The eutectic phase at grain boundaries change from thick continuous eutectic network to thin discontinuous one, and the distribution of solute elements was also homogenized. The typical negative segregation phenomenon of Cu in common solidification condition was restrained, and the segregation of Mg decreased.

Microstructure refinement of AZ31 alloy solidified with pulsed magnetic field

The effects of a pulsed magnetic field on the solidified microstructure of an AZ31 magnesium alloy were investigated.The experimental results show that the remarkable microstructural refinement is achieved when the pulsed magnetic field is applied to the solidification of the AZ31 alloy.The average grain size of the as-cast microstructure of the AZ31 alloy is refined to 107 μm.By quenching the AZ31 alloy, the different primary α-Mg microstructures are preserved during the course of solidification.The microstructure evolution reveals that the primary α-Mg generates and grows in globular shape with pulsed magnetic field, contrast with the dendritic shape without pulsed magnetic field.The pulsed magnetic field causes melt convection during solidification, which makes the temperature of the whole melt homogenized, and produces an undercooling zone in front of the liquid/solid interface, which makes the nucleation rate increased and big dendrites prohibited.In addition, the Joule heat effect induced in the melt also strengthens the grain refinement effect and spheroidization of dendrite arms.

Structure Evolution and Solidification Behavior of Austenitic Stainless Steel in Pulsed Magnetic Field

To understand the solidification behavior of austenitic stainless steel in pulsed magnetic field, the solidification process is investigated by means of the self-made high voltage pulse power source and the solidification tester. The results show that the solidification structure of austenitic stainless steel can be remarkably refined in pulsed magnetic field, yet the grains become coarse again when the magnetic intensity is exceedingly large, indicating that an optimal intensity range existed for structure refinement. The solidification temperature can be enhanced with an increase in the magnetic intensity. The solidification time is shortened obviously, but the shortening degree is reduced with the increase of the magnetic intensity.

Sterilization of Escherichia coli cells by the application of pulsed magnetic field

The inactivation of microorganisms by pulsed magnetic field was studied. It was improved that the application of electromagnetic pulses evidently causes a lethal effect on E. coli cells suspended in phosphate buffer solution Na 2HPO 4/NaH 2PO 4(0 334/0 867 mmol/L). Experimental results indicated that the survivability(N/N 0; where N 0 and N are the number of cells survived per mill il iter before and after electromagnetic pulses application, respectively) of E. coli decreased with magnetic field intensity B and treatment time t. It was also found that the medium temperatures, the frequencies of pulse f, and the initial bacterial cell concentrations have determinate influences in destruction of E. coli cells by the application of magnetic pulses. The application of an magnetic intensity B=160 mT at pulses frequency f=62 kHz and treatment time t=16 h result in a considerable destruction levels of E. coli cells (N/N 0=10 -4 ). Possible mechanisms involved in sterilization of the magnetic field treatment were discussed. In order to shorten the treatment time, many groups of parallel inductive coil were used. The practicability test showed that the treatment time was shortened to 4 h with the application of three groups of parallel coil when the survivability of E.coli cells was less than 0 01%; and the power consumption was about 0 2 kWh /m 3.

Numerical and experimental studies on solidification of AZ80 magnesium alloy under out-of-phase pulsed magnetic field

For obtaining the finer grains of magnesium alloy,a novel combined pulsed magnetic field with different initial phases,also called out-ofphase pulsed magnetic field(OPPMF),was applied to study the solidification structure of AZ80 magnesium alloy.The numerical simulation was simultaneously conducted to investigate the refinement mechanisms.The experimental results showed that the macrostructure could be effectively refined by applying external magnetic field.Meanwhile,finer grains were obtained with the higher current intensity.However,the increase of current intensity could only refine the grains to about 0.5 mm.Furthermore,compared to a single pulsed magnetic field(PMF)and alternating series of OPPMF(Connection II),a finer structure was observed when the consecutive series of OPPMF(Connection I)was imposed.In contrast with a single PMF and Connection II,the numerical results showed that the greater axial Lorentz force was obtained under the Connection I,generating the stronger forced flow in the melt.It is believed that abundant nuclei could detach from the mold wall and move faster into the interior melt due to the stronger forced flow;besides,the lower superheat and greater temperature uniformity in bulk melt were realized,accounting for the finest structures under the Connection I.

Effect of pulse magnetic field on solidification structure and properties of pure copper

The application of pulse magnetic field to metal solidification is an advanced technique which can remarkably refine solidification structure. In this paper, the effect of pulse magnetic field on solidification structure, mechanical properties and conductivity of pure copper was experimentally investigated. The results showed that the solidification structure transformed from coarse columnar crystal to fine globular crystal with increasing pulse voltage. Increasing pulse voltage also improved the tensile strength. However, with the increase of pulse voltage, the elongation and electrical resistivity firstly decreased, then increased when the pulse voltage beyond a critical value. Moreover, in some conditions, pulse magnetic field can simultaneously improve the conductivity and mechanical property of pure copper.

In-situ fabrication of particulate reinforced aluminum matrix composites under high-frequency pulsed electromagnetic field

Pulsed magnetic field is generated when imposing pulse signal on high-frequency magnetic field. Distribution of the inner magnetic intensity in induction coils tends to be uniform. Furthermore oscillation and disturbance phenomena appear in the melt. In. situ Al2O3 and Al3Zr particulate reinforced aluminum matrix composites have been synthesized by direct melt reaction using AlZr（CO3）2 components under a foreign field. The size of reinforced particulates is 2-3 μm. They are well distributed in the matrix. Thermodynamic and kinetic analysis show that high-frequency pulsed magnetic field accelerates heat and mass transfer processes and improves the kinetic condition of in-situ fabrication.

Soft magnetic properties of amorphous Fe_(52)Co_(34)Hf_7B_6Cu_1 alloy treated by pulsed magnetic field and annealing

The crystallization, microstructure, and soft magnetic properties of Fe52Co34Hf7B6Cul alloy are studied. Amorphous Fe52Co34Hf7B6Cul alloys are first treated by a pulsed magnetic field with a medium frequency, and then annealed at 100 ℃-400 ℃ for 30 min in a vacuum. The rise in temperature during the treatment by a pulsed magnetic field is measured by a non-contact infrared thermometer. The soft magnetic properties of specimens are measured by a vibrating sample magnetometer （VSM）. The microstructure changes of specimens are observed by a MSssbauer spectroscopy and transmission electron microscope （TEM）. The results show the medium-frequency pulsating magnetic field will pro- mote nanocrystallization of the amorphous alloy with a lower temperature rise. The nanocrystalline phase is （α-Fe（Co） with bcc crystal structure, and the grain size is about 10 nm. After vacuum annealing at 100 ℃ for 30 min, scattering nanocrystalline phases become more uniform, the coercive force and the saturation magnetization of the specimens are 41.98 A/m and 185.15 emu/g.

The pulsed high magnetic field facility and scientific research at Wuhan National High Magnetic Field Center

Wuhan National High Magnetic Field Center(WHMFC)at Huazhong University of Science and Technology is one of the top-class research centers in the world,which can offer pulsed fields up to 90.6 T with different field waveforms for scientific research and has passed the final evaluation of the Chinese government in 2014.This paper will give a brief introduction of the facility and the development status of pulsed magnetic fields research at WHMFC.In addition,it will describe the application development of pulsed magnetic fields in both scientific and industrial research.

Effect of harmonic magnetic field and pulse magnetic field on microstructure of high purity Cu during electromagnetic direct chill casting

The effects of two types of magnetic fields,namely harmonic magnetic field(HMF)and pulse magnetic field(PMF)on magnetic flux density,Lorentz force,temperature field,and microstructure of high purity Cu were studied by numerical simulation and experiment during electromagnetic direct chill casting.The magnetic field is induced by a magnetic generation system including an electromagnetic control system and a cylindrical crystallizer of 300 mm in diameter equipped with excitation coils.A comprehensive mathematical model for high purity Cu electromagnetic casting was established in finite element method.The distributions of magnetic flux density and Lorentz force generated by the two magnetic fields were acquired by simulation and experimental measurement.The microstructure of billets produced by HMF and PMF casting was compared.Results show that the magnetic flux density and penetrability of PMF are significantly higher than those of HMF,due to its faster variation in transient current and higher peak value of magnetic flux density.In addition,PMF drives a stronger Lorentz force and deeper penetration depth than HMF does,because HMF creates higher eddy current and reverse electromagnetic field which weakens the original electromagnetic field.The microstructure of a billet by HMF is composed of columnar structure regions and central fine grain regions.By contrast,the billet by PMF has a uniform microstructure which is characterized by ultra-refined and uniform grains because PMF drives a strong dual convection,which increases the uniformity of the temperature field,enhances the impact of the liquid flow on the edge of the liquid pool and reduces the curvature radius of liquid pool.Eventually,PMF shows a good prospect for industrialization.

Simulation of electromagnetic-flow fields in Mg melt under pulsed magnetic field

The effects of a pulsed magnetic field on the solidified microstructure of pure Mg were investigated.The results show that microstructure of pure Mg is considerably refined via columnar-to-equiaxed growth under the pulsed magnetic field and the average grain size is refined to 260？？ under the optimal processing conditions.A mathematical model was built to describe the interaction of the electromagnetic-flow fields during solidification with ANSYS software.The pulsed electric circuit was first solved and then it is substituted into the magnetic field model.The fluid flow model was solved with the acquired electromagnetic force.The effects of pulse voltage frequency on the current wave and on the distribution of magnetic and flow fields were numerically studied.The pulsed magnetic field increases melt convection,which stirs and fractures the dendritic arms into pieces.These broken pieces are transported into the bulk liquid by the liquid flow and act as nuclei to enhance grain refinement.The Joule heat effect produced by the electric current also participates in the microstructural refinement.

Effects of temperature on the mechanical properties of Ti6Al4V powder compacts prepared by magnetic pulse compaction

The effects of temperature （0-500°C） on the compressive strength,hardness,average relative density,and microstructure of Ti6Al4V powder green compacts prepared by magnetic pulse compaction were investigated.The results show that with increasing heating temperature,the compressive strength first increases and then decreases with the maximum value of 976.74 MPa at 400°C.The average relative density and hardness constantly increase,and their values reach 96.11% and HRA 69.8 at 500°C,respectively.The increase of partial welding is found among the junctions of particles inside the compacts; there is no obvious grain growth inside the compacts within the temperature range.

DYNAMIC COMPACTION OF PURE COPPER POWDER USING PULSED MAGNETIC FORCE

The compaction of pure Cu powder was carried out through a series of experiments using dynamic magnetic pulse compaction, and the effects of process parameters, such as discharge energy and compacting direction, on the homogeneity and the compaction density of compacted specimens were presented and discussed. The results indicated that the compaction density of specimens increased with the augment of discharge voltage and time. During unidirectional compaction, there was a density gradient along the loading direction in the compacted specimen, and the minimum compaction density was localized to the center of the bottom of the specimen. The larger the aspect ratio of a powder body, the higher the compaction density of the compacted specimen. And high conductivity drivers were beneficial to the increase of the compaction density. The iterative and the double direction compaction were efficient means to manufacture the homogeneous and high-density powder parts.

Effect of magnetic pulse pretreatment on grindability of a magnetite ore and its implication on magnetic separation

The pulsed power is a potential means for energy saving and presents an alternative to the conventional mechanical communication for minerals.The effect of magnetic pulse treatment on grindability of a magnetite ore was investigated by grindability tests.The results of the investigation show that the pulsed treatment has little effect on the particle size distribution of the magnetite ore.Significant micro-cracks or fractures are not found by SEM analysis in magnetic pulse treated sample.Magnetic separation of magnetic pulse treated and untreated magnetite ore indicates that iron recovery increases from 81.3% in the untreated sample to 87.7% in the magnetic pulse treated sample,and the corresponding iron grade increases from 42.1% to 44.4%.The results demonstrate that the magnetic pulse treatment does not significantly weaken the mineral grain boundaries or facilitate the liberation of minerals,but is beneficial to magnetic separation.

Optimal Matching of Magnetic Pulse Compressor

Energy transmission efficiency in the magnetic pulse generators varies with saturated time of magnetic switch. An optimal matching time exists and depends on the compression ratio, under which, the energy transmission efficiency can reach approximate 100%. The equation of required magnetic core volume is obtained by taken into account the optimal matching mode. It indicates that a great reduction on the volume is feasible under the optimal matching mode. The circuit simulation code-PSPICE is also introduced to simulate a 3-stage magnetic pulse compressor, and the results are in accordance with those of equivalent circuit analyses.