Effects of Low Frequency Electromagnetic Field on the Solidification Structure of 6063 Aluminum Alloy during Hot-Top Casting

Abstract:

Low frequency electromagnetic (LFE) field was applied during the conventional hot-top casting process. Thermocouples were used to measure the cooling curves from the border to the center of the ingot during steady-state of casting process, cooling curves were obtained, and effects of low frequency electromagnetic field on the solidification, macrostructure during the conventional hot-top casting for 6063 aluminum alloy process were analyzed. The experimental results show that the forced convection caused by the low frequency electromagnetic (LFE) filed can make the melt temperature uniform, promote the evacuation of superheat, make the temperature in the liquid pool lower than the liquidus temperature of 6063 aluminum alloy, increase the number of floating nuclei, make the ingot with fine and homogeneous macrostructure, though there is no addition of any grain refiners.

• Periodical: Materials Science Forum (Volumes 675-677)
• Pages: 857-860
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/MSF.675-677.857
• Online since: February 2011
• Authors: Xiang Jie Wang, Jian Zhong Cui, Qing Feng Zhu
• Keywords: Aluminium Alloy, Electromagnetic Field (EMF), Hot-Top Casting, Solidification, Structure

References

[1] G.E. Moritz, U.S. Patent, 2, 983, 972. (1961).

[2] Z.V. Getselev: J. Met. Vol. 23(1971), p.38.

[3] C. Vivès: Metall Trans B Vol. 20 (1989), p.623.

[4] C. Vivès: Metall Trans B Vol. 20 (1989), p.631.

[5] B.J. Zhang, G.M. Lu and J.Z. Cui: Mater Sci Technol. Vol. 18 (2002), p.401.

[6] J. Dong, J.Z. Cui, F.X. Yu and Z.H. Zhao: Metall Mater Trans A Vol. 35 (2004), p.2487.

[7] D.R. Stull and H. Prophot: JANAF Thermochemical Tables, second ed., NSRDS (1971).

[8] B. Chalmers: Principle of Solidification, R. Krieger Publishing Company, Malabar, Florida (1982).

[9] M. Flemings: Solidification Processing, McGraw-Hill, New York, NY (1974).