About this Abstract |
Meeting |
2021 TMS Annual Meeting & Exhibition
|
Symposium
|
Cast Shop Technology
|
Presentation Title |
Resonance for Contactless Ultrasonic Treatment in Direct Chill Casting |
Author(s) |
Catherine E H Tonry, Valdis Bojarevics, Georgi Djambazov, Koulis Pericleous |
On-Site Speaker (Planned) |
Catherine E H Tonry |
Abstract Scope |
Grain refinement is desirable in direct chill (DC) casting. Ultrasonic treatment (UST) has been proven to be a grain refinement technique. Immersed sonotrodes have been employed for this purpose to treat alloys both within the launder or directly in the sump. We propose an alternative electromagnetic (EM) technique used directly in the caster. This ‘contactless sonotrode’ technique uses a kilohertz frequency induction coil tuned to reach acoustic resonance within the melt pool. The technique has been successfully used in batch to refine the microstructure and degas aluminum in a crucible. We extend numerical models, coupling electromagnetics, fluid flow, gas cavitation, heat transfer and solidification to examine use in the DC process. Simulations show that a consistent resonant mode is obtainable within a vigorously mixed melt pool, with pressures high enough to achieve cavitation. It is expected conditions in the mushy zone due to cavitation would promote dendrite fragmentation. |
Proceedings Inclusion? |
Planned: Light Metals |