Influence of lower frequency electromagnetic field on dendritic crystal growth in special alloys

Abstract

Based on a new developed chemical etching method to special alloys (e.g. Incoloy800H superalloy, GCr15 bearing steel and 1Cr13 stainless steel), the morphology of dendritic crystal growth and its transition to equiaxed crystal in the solidification structure with lower frequency electromagnetic fields were observed and investigated to understand the action mechanism of electromagnetic fields on the solidification of the special alloys. By applying a rotating electromagnetic field (REMF) in the casting of special alloys, the growth condition of dendritic crystals, such as the temperature gradient and concentration of elements in the front of dendritic crystals, have been changed by the forced convection of melt and bring the columnar dendrites to equiaxed dendrites. These phenomena are proved in the morphology observation of the Incoloy800H superalloy, GCr15 steel and 1Cr13 steel by the new developed chemical etching method, and the tips of dendritic crystals are changed from sharp to round. Meanwhile, with the application of REMF, the growing dendrites are broken in the front of dendritic crystals by the forced melt flow. Some of the dendrite fragments are partially remelted to become effective nuclei, and some of them are survived during the solidification process. Finally, a criterion for the dendrite fragmentation under REMF is derived based on the dendrite fragmentation theory of Campanella et al.