Electromagnetic Stir Casting System

Nowadays, different methods are used to produce metal matrix composites. Stir casting, powder metallurgy and compocasting are some of these methods. In casting methods like stir casting process, the reinforcements are directly injected into the molten metal and then dispersed into the melt using a stirrer. One of the main challenges in this method is excessive turbulence of melt which leads to the oxygen dissolution. To obviate this challenge, today, novel methods have been developed for stirring and dispersion of particles in the melt. Electromagnetic stirring is one of these new methods. This device is a combination of resistance furnace and electromagnetic stirrer, which can help researchers to investigate different aspects of materials science. In this system, a crucible is enclosed by a magnetic coil; by connecting the coil to a three-phase power supply a magnetic field is generated inside the crucible. It is well-known that applying a magnetic field to a conductor induces an electric current in it. Similarly, induction of magnetic flux, according to the Fleming's right-hand rule, generates an induction current in the sample inside the crucible. This current, along with the coil magnetic field, generates electromagnetic force (Lorentz), in accordance with the Fleming's left-hand rule, in the molten metal. The Lorentz force is generally rotational and leads to the motion of melt in the magnetic field direction. Coils can be designed for reaching the desired stirring pattern.