The Suppression of the Natural Convection in the Directional Solidification Processing of Superalloy by the Introduction of the Traveling Magnetic Field: 2D and 3D Simulation

Abstract

AbstractIn this work, 2D and 3D, time-dependent flow simulations with relevance to the melt motion during directional solidification of superalloy under a traveling magnetic field (TMF) are presented. Numerical results indicate that the velocity at the front of solidification interface increases rapidly in the area-changeable transition region under the no TMF. However, the downward TMF is able to either stabilize or destabilize the flow in this transition region, which is determined by the effects of the strength of the magnetic field. Under the weak downward TMF, the natural convection is suppressed and the interface always maintains flat in the process of directional solidification, providing favorable conditions for the growth of crystal. Flow is deeply destabilizing with the increase of magnetic field intensity. Finally, in terms of thermal field, flow field and interface shape, their 2D and 3D simulation results are also compared respectively.