DC casting of light alloys under magnetic fields

The working principle of LFEC(Low frequency electromagnetic casting) process developed in Northeastern University, China was introduced and the metallurgical results of LFEC were discussed according to the casting practices. The low frequency field around the mold produces Lorenz force, which can be divided into two parts: one is the potential force which will be balanced by a pressure gradient of the liquid and results in the formation of a convex surface meniscus and improves the surface quality; the other is the rotary force which stirs the liquid in the mold to refine the microstructures and homogenize the distribution of alloying elements. LFEC can refine microstructures remarkably, improve surface quality of the ingots, depress macrosegregation and eliminate cracks. Some new technologies, such as horizontal direct chill casting under low-frequency electromagnetic field (HLEC), DC casting of hollow billets under electromagnetic fields (HBEC), electromagnetic modifying of hypereutectic Al-Si alloys(EMM), air film casting under static magnetic field (AFCM), and multi-ingots casting under low-frequency magnetic field (MLFEC) were developed based on LFEC.