Non-contacting molten metal flow control
AssigneeNovelis Inc.
InventorsSamuel R. Wagstaff, Wayne J. Fenton, Robert B. Wagstaff, Milan Felberbaum, Todd F. Bischoff, Tina J. Kosmicki
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Abstract
Systems and methods are disclosed for using magnetic fields (e.g., changing magnetic fields) to control metal flow conditions during casting (e.g., casting of an ingot, billet, or slab). The magnetic fields can be introduced using rotating permanent magnets or electromagnets. The magnetic fields can be used to induce movement of the molten metal in a desired direction, such as in a rotating pattern around the surface of the molten sump. The magnetic fields can be used to induce metal flow conditions in the molten sump to increase homogeneity in the molten sump and resultant ingot.
Claims19
An aluminum product having a crystalline structure with an average dendrite arm spacing across the entire aluminum product of below 9.5 μm, and an average grain size below 255 μm, the aluminum product obtained by introducing molten metal into a mold cavity and inducing molten flow in the molten metal by generating a changing magnetic field proximate an upper surface of the molten metal.
An aluminum product containing up to 100% recycled aluminum and having a crystalline structure with an average dendrite arm spacing across the entire aluminum product of below 9.5 μm and an average grain size below 255 μm, the aluminum product obtained by introducing molten metal into a mold cavity and inducing molten flow in the molten metal by generating a changing magnetic field proximate an upper surface of the molten metal.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.