Continuous Casting of Hypereutectic Aluminum-Silicon Alloy Billets Using Electromagnetic Stirring Technique

Abstract

The use of aluminum silicon alloy is widely accepted in many fields of applications, including automotive, aerospace and military. Hypereutectic aluminum silicon alloys has silicon contents commonly between 14% and 20%. The use of hypereutectic aluminum silicon alloys give a number of benefits such as low specific gravity, high resistance to wear and reduced thermal expansion. In the continuous casting of hypereutectic Al-Si alloy billets, the size and distribution of primary silicon become important to obtain uniform and excellent physical properties. In this study, electromagnetic stirring technique was applied to control the size and distribution of primary silicon. Rotational move of melts induces the segregation of primary silicon around casting surface. Turbulent flow of melts by electromagnetic stirring enhances the distribution of primary silicon. In results, the distribution of primary silicon is greatly enhanced by applying two way electromagnetic stirring technique. Finally the mechanical and wear properties were examined and compared with different samples and discussed about the usefulness of electromagnetic stirring to control the size and distribution of primary silicon in billet casting.