Casting is a manufacturing process in which a liquid metal is poured inside a mold where it solidifies. The application of a magnetic field during the casting process which interacts with the thermoelectrical current generated by the temperature gradient produces electromagnetic forces and thus, convection in the melt. As a function of the magnetic field intensity, this can lead to alterations in solute distribution and dendrite morphology, and affect the solidification process.
This project provides an opportunity to explore the impact of static magnetic fields with different intensities ranging from 0 to 1.5 T on the solidification of cast Al-Cu alloys. The student will be involved in the solidification of the Al-Cu alloys within an electromagnet. Afterwards, the students will analyze the samples using standard metallographic techniques including optical microscopy.
Project supervisors: Xiaojiao You and Julie Gheysen
Contact: [email protected] and [email protected]