Non-metallic particles, especially alumina, are the main inclusions in aluminum and its alloys. Numerical simulation and the corresponding experiments were carried out to study the motion behavior of alumina particles in commercial pure aluminum under high frequency magnetic field. At the meantime, multi-pipe experiment was also done to discuss the prospect of continuous elimination of non-metallic particles under high frequency magnetic field. It is shown that: 1) results of numerical simulation are in good agreement with the experimental results, which certificates the rationality of the simulation model; 2) when the intensity of high frequency magnetic field is 0.06 T, the 30 μm alumina particles in melt inner could migrate to the edge and be removed within 2 s; 3) multi-pipe elimination of alumina particles under high frequency magnetic field is also effective and has a good prospect in industrial application.
The results of experiments and simulations show that there is a turbulent flow in the molten aluminum and it is hard to be restrained in the thin tubule (diameter of 6 mm) when the electromagnetic body force is applied. The electromagnetic elimination experimental results show that the flow has serious effect on the elimination of 5 μm alumina inclusions, but has little effect on the 30 μm and 100 μm primary silicon. The effects of the electromagnetic field and the turbulent flow on the electromagnetic elimination are discussed.
Ni-Al2O3 nano-composite coatings were fabricated by sediment co-deposition (SCD) from Watt’s type electrolyte containing nano-Al2O3 particles without any additives. For comparison, Ni-Al2O3 nano-composite coatings were prepared by conventional electro-plating (CEP) under experimental conditions. Effects of process parameters, such as nano-Al2O3 concentration in plating solution, current density, stirring rate, and bath temperature, on nano-Al2O3 content in composite coatings were investigated. The distribution of elements in deposit, and the bonding strength between coating and substrate was analyzed by electron probe microanalyzer (EPMA) and auto-scratch apparatus, respectively. It is found that the nano-Al2O3 concentration in plating solution, current density and stirring rate are three main factors affecting the particles content in deposit, and played a key role in the formation of composite coatings. The nano-Al2O3 content in composite coatings increased with increasing of nano-Al2O3 concentration in plating solution, current density and stirring rate to reach a maximum value, and then reduced slightly. The contents of nano-Al2O3 particles in composite coatings by the SCD technique were higher than that by the CEP technique. The co-deposited nano-Al2O3 particles embedded uniformly in the Ni matrix. The coating was well adhesion with substrate. It is demonstrated that the SCD technique is an efficient approach for improving the nano-Al2O3 content in Ni-Al2O3 composite coatings.
