Papers by Keyword: Inclined Cooling Plate

Abstract: In the present work, the solidification behaviour of a metal analogues transparent binary solution (8 wt% of NH₄Cl in H₂O) under shear flow is investigated numerically. The shear flow in the mush is developed due to flow over an inclined cooling plate. The dendrites formed during solidification are fragmented under the shear flow and transported into the bulk solution. The suspended dendrites form a slurry layer in the domain. Consequently, a suitable mathematical model is considered to study the transport phenomena. In the mathematical model, the free surface of the solution is represented by the volume-of-fluid (VOF) method. The solidification process is modelled by a set of volume-averaged-single-phase mass, momentum, energy and species conservation equations. A separate equation is considered for the solid velocity based on Stokes model. The governing equations are solved based on the pressure-based semi-implicit finite volume method according to the SIMPLER algorithm using TDMA solver along with the enthalpy update scheme. Finally, the simulation predicts temperature, velocity, solid fraction and the species distributions in the computational domain. Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}

Abstract: The inclined Cooling Plate process can be considered as a reliable method for the production of semi-solid ductile cast iron. By utilizing aforesaid method, the main limitation of common semi-solid methods, i.e. Mg fading, will be eliminated. The present research is intended that the importance of alloying design through the inclined cooling plate method and its profound effect on obtaining the optimum solidification range for thixo-forming process have been illustrated. The optimization of solidification range for thixo-forming process has been gained by the simulation in both equilibrium and non-equilibrium conditions. Afterwards the alloy selection has been performed amongst several alloying composition with a view to their effect on the thixo-forming process and austempering.

Abstract: High chromium cast iron samples of 14% Cr and 24% Cr were produced in sand and permanent mold using semi-solid casting process. A series of experiments were carried out to clarify the effect of copper cooling plate and mold cooling rate on microstructure, particularly morphology and sphericity of primary austenite, hardness and heat treatment cycles. Results show that for 14% Cr and 24% cast irons casting at 10 and 15 degrees of inclined plate result in better sphericity and distribution of primary austenite and carbides. Moreover hardness comparison of both semi-solid iron alloys using copper cooling plate at of this special morphologies resulted from cooling plate investigated by making them heat treat at 1050 centigrade °C for 1 and 2 hours. Hardness results show both heat treated 14 and 24% Cr alloy in 1 hours have hardness comparable with those alloys traditionally cast optimum angles with respect to conventional casting show higher hardness in every condition. Effect but heat treated in 2 hours. Finally X-Ray diffraction pattern taken from specimens before and after heat treatment confirmed with observed phases in optical microscopy before and after heat treatment.

Abstract: In order to produce AZ91 and AZ31 magnesium alloy billets semisolid continuous casting by using an inclined cooling plate was carried out. The molten magnesium alloy in an electric furnace was flowed on the inclined cooling plate and then poured in a tundish. The slurry prepared using this process was solidified by drawing a dummy bar from a water-cooled copper mold, consequently producing a billet. As a result, we could produce the magnesium alloy billets by semisolid continuous casting. Magnesium alloy billets with refined and globular primary α crystals were successfully and continuously cast by optimizing the solidification conditions. In this case, the grain size of AZ91 billets was about 55μm and that of AZ31 billets was 50μm. The AZ91 billets produced by semisolid continuous casting were employed in thixocasting experiments. The experiments revealed that thixocasting could produce the mobile phone casings with spherical primary α crystals at 858K. Moreover, we proved that the difference of shot cycle did not influence the microstructures for up to 251 shots.

Abstract: Continual improvement of product quality has been a long challenge to Semi-Solid Metal (SSM) technology. By conventional semi-solid processes, this might be attained at the expense of economical production. The advent of Inclined Cooling Plate (ICP) process has already realized the development of non-dendritic SSM while satisfying qualitative, quantitative and economical requirements collectively. In spite of its potential advantages, functional mechanisms of this process are not yet clearly understood that makes its optimal utilization obscured. Basically, such understanding needs a picture of the process. As the first step, this picture is pursued through physical modeling of the ICP process i.e. direct observation of an analog system by virtue of transparent character of a model alloy (succinonitrile-acetone). Based on this phenomenological model, a picture of the process is presented as follows: flowing molten alloy down ICP, multiple regions form typically on the plate i.e. a chilled layer at the vicinity of the plate surface, a two-phase mushy zone on the chilled layer and ambient liquid far from the plate surface. In this process, interaction of the liquid forced-flow with mushy zone separates solid particles from the stationary mush on the plate resulting in a two-phase mixture which is responsible for the formation of slurry i.e. SSM.

Abstract: Ultrasonic vibration was applied to the surface of AZ91D/CNF slurries in order to homogeneously disperse the reinforcement through the semi-solid matrix, and eliminate the clusters of nano-fibres originated during previous processes. The method utilized to produce the slurry was a modified compocasting process that generates semi-solid magnesium alloy using an inclined cooling plate and mechanical stirring. The CNF reinforcement was added in quantities varying from 1 to 3vol% and different vibration times and amplitudes were applied to the slurries under isothermal conditions. Macro and microstructure combined analysis showed the occurrence of grain refinement in the whole ingot for higher wave amplitudes at shorter times, while for lower amplitudes longer times up to 10min. were required. Vibration times over 10min were not significant to further improve the results and times up to 4min did not seem to provide any result whatsoever. The best results, however, were obtained for 16 and 18μm amplitudes. Discontinuous application of ultrasound seems to produce better results than continuous vibration. The dispersion of reinforcement seems to occur by the smash of CNF clusters due to the movement of the solid fraction present in the Mg alloy slurry, and by cavitation, responsible also for some microporosity present in the microstructures.

Abstract: The influence of an inclined cooling plate utilized as a modification in the compocasting process of aluminum alloy is studied in this paper. Based on the crystal separation theory, molten A356 is poured on the inclined copper plate in order to produce solidification nuclei inside the fluid metal, which is, then, mechanically stirred while reinforcement is added through its surface. Carbon nano fibers (CNF) and particulate SiC were utilized as reinforcement, in quantities varying from 0.5 to 15vol%. Dispersion of the reinforcements was observed by macro and microstructure analysis. For CNF, addition of quantities up to 1vol% resulted in homogeneous dispersion through the matrix, although SEM analysis showed the presence of clusters of up to 50μm in some points of the samples. SiC was properly mixed into matrix until 10vol%. Globular crystals were obtained, but some coarsening occurred, especially for small quantities of reinforcement. Utilization of the inclined cooling plate produced good inclusion and homogenization for two different reinforcements through an A356 matrix. The best results were obtained for a 180mm cooling plate, with inclination of 60o. The pouring temperature utilized was 10oC over the melting point of the alloy, and temperature of the tundish was kept around 598oC during stirring.