Effect of Electromagnetic Stirring during Solidification on the Morphological Evolution of Primary Solid Phase of Al Alloy

Abstract:

In this study, in order to develop the cast product of Al alloy having a globular microstructure by using the elctromagnetic (EM) stirrer, which was specially designed and manufactured to induce a various fluid flow type of melt during solidification, a morphlogy and size of primary solid phase of the solidifying slurry was investigated with respect to EM stirring condition such as an induced magnetic flux density (MFD) and a frequency of input current. The magnetic flux density of EM stirrer was measured by using a gaussmeter and its distribution and magnetic force within Al melt was simulated in ANSYS program. The induced MFD was increased with decreasing a frequency of input current at the same input voltage due to the increased penetrating depth of magnetic field. But, the magnetic force related directly with a stirring strength of melt was increased with the frequency. Both a roundness and size of primary α phase of Al alloy was decreased with increasing a frequency of input current and MFD within the experimental range. Therefore, the primary α phase was refined and globularized at the higher frequency and MFD.