Research on horizontal electromagnetic continuous casting of copper tube blanks

Abstract

The effect of commercial frequency electromagnetic field on the solidification structure and mechanical properties of copper hollow blanks prepared by horizontal continuous casting method was investigated. The results show that when the electromagnetic field is imposed, columnar grains are evidently refined and fine equiaxed grains are obtained in the inner side of the cross-section. Moreover, with the increase of input current, the equiaxed grain region widens and the grains distribute more uniformly in the circumferential direction. Meanwhile, the mechanical properties are remarkably improved by the application of electromagnetic field. When the input current is 140 A, the tensile strength increases 15% and the elongation increases 10%. However, the electromagnetic field has no effect on the distribution of microelements.

Keywords

• electromagnetic field
• horizontal continuous casting
• copper hollow blanks
• mechanical properties
• solidification structure