Numerical Simulation of Electromagnetic Stirring during Vacuum Arc Remelting

Abstract:

In the present paper, 3-D numerical simulations of electromagnetic stirring during vacuum arc remelting (VAR) were conducted by using the ANSYS software to study the distribution of remelting current, magnetic field and Lorentz force. The effects of coil on magnetic and Lorensz force were also discussed. The results show that the current flows during VAR from crucible wall to the electrode via the surface of the ingot melt pool，and the currents in the crucible base and the ingot base are almost zero. The magnetic field inducted by remelting current is axisymmetric and rounding, and the magnetic flux density along radial direction increases to a maximum value near the edge of the electrode and then decreases. The magnetic field in ingot inducted by coil is parallel to the symmetry axis and the magnetic flux density is nearly uniform. The Lorentz force of coil could circumrotate the ingot melt pool

Key words:vacuum arc remelting (VAR);electromagnetic stirring;numerical simulation;ANSYS;Lorensz force