A synchrotron X-ray radiography study of dendrite fragmentation induced by a pulsed electromagnetic field in an A1-15Cu alloy

An in situ technique for studying the effect of a pulsed electromagnetic field on dendrite fragmentation behavior based on synchrotron X-ray imaging has been developed, involving the passage of an oscillating current through a foil specimen placed in a static magnetic field. In all cases, the applic...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Liotti, E, Lui, A, Vincent, R, Kumar, S, Guo, Z, Connolley, T, Dolbnya, I, Hart, M, Arnberg, L, Mathiesen, R, Grant, P
Format: Journal article
Published: 2014
Description
Summary:An in situ technique for studying the effect of a pulsed electromagnetic field on dendrite fragmentation behavior based on synchrotron X-ray imaging has been developed, involving the passage of an oscillating current through a foil specimen placed in a static magnetic field. In all cases, the application of a pulsed electromagnetic field to an array of Al-15 wt.%Cu dendrites led to an increase in dendrite fragmentation rate. The induced movement of inter-dendritic liquid between the primary and secondary dendrite arms even at high solid fraction led to instabilities in the local temperature-concentration-curvature equilibrium and the rapid remelting of the most vulnerable microregions. The new in situ methodology provides a basis for the optimization of pulsed electromagnetic field parameters to enhance grain refining performance for specific alloys and casting conditions. Crown Copyright © 2014 Published by Elsevier Ltd. on behalf of Acta Materialia Inc. All rights reserved.