Numerical Simulation of the Effects of Scanning Strategies on the Aluminum Evaporation of Titanium Alloy in the Electron Beam Cold Hearth Melting Process.

Van-Doi Truong,Jonghun Yoon,Yong-Taek Hyun,Wonjoo Lee,Jong Woo Won

doi:10.3390/ma15030820

Abstract

In the production of titanium alloy, the electron beam cold hearth melting (EBCHM) process is commonly used due to its effectiveness and the high quality of the end product. However, its main drawback is the significant loss of elements such as aluminum (Al) due to evaporation under the vacuum environment. Numerical coupled thermal-flow models were here developed to investigate the effects of scanning strategies on Al loss in a titanium alloy during EBCHM. The validation model was successful in comparison with previously published experimental data. The Al mass fraction results at the outlet of the water-cooled hearth were strongly influenced by changes in the applied scanning strategies. The results indicated that the Al mass fraction loss could be reduced by using the full-hearth scanning strategies.

Highlights

Titanium and its alloys are widely used in high-performance products in a variety of industries, including the aerospace, automotive, biomedical, and energy industries, due to their outstanding properties such as light weight, excellent strength, high melting temperature, and exceptional corrosion resistance [1,2]
Four different electron beam scanning strategies were applied to investigate their effects on the Al mass fraction field related to evaporation under low pressure in a water-cooled hearth
A coupled thermal-flow model was developed based on the physical phenomena that occur in the electron beam cold hearth melting (EBCHM) process

Summary

Introduction

Titanium and its alloys are widely used in high-performance products in a variety of industries, including the aerospace, automotive, biomedical, and energy industries, due to their outstanding properties such as light weight, excellent strength, high melting temperature, and exceptional corrosion resistance [1,2]. There are currently two consolidation processes used to produce commercial titanium alloy ingots: vacuum arc remelting (VAR) and cold hearth melting (CHM) [2,3]. An EBCHM furnace operates in a vacuum, whereas a PAM furnace operates under the partial pressure of argon [2], giving it the ability to eliminate volatile elements such as chloride and hydrogen in the hearth [4]. Given these advantages, EBCHM is currently dominant in the production of premium-quality titanium alloys

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