A New Approach of Casting Aluminium Alloy Bar by Applying Low Frequency Electromagnetic Field

Abstract

Aluminum is the richest metallic element in the earth, the ingots cast by DC casting process are usually extruded into aluminum bars. When the final products do not require high strength, this process appears to be low efficiency and high cost. We try to design a new technology to cast aluminum bar by horizontal direct chill (HDC) casting process directly. An electromagnetic field is applied during the horizontal continuous casting of 6061 aluminium bar with a diameter of 30mm. The experimental results show the asymmetry of the sump can be overcome by electromagnetic field. Ingot with good upper and lower surface quality is obtained. The structure of ingot is refined and the angle between growth direction and horizontal direction becomes small with increasing casting speed.