Research paper

Evolution of Macrosegregation During Three-Stage Vacuum Arc Remelting of Titanium Alloys

  • GUO Jie ,
  • HUANG Liqing ,
  • WU Jingyang ,
  • LI Junjie ,
  • WANG Jincheng ,
  • FAN Kai
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  • 1 State Key Laboratory of Solidification Processing, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an 710072, China
    2 Hunan Xiangtou Goldsky Titanium Industry Technology Co. Ltd., Changde 415001, China
FAN Kai, senior engineer, Tel: (0736)7326915, E-mail: fk@xtjtty.com

Received date: 2022-10-25

  Revised date: 2023-05-02

  Online published: 2023-07-06

Supported by

Research Fund of State Key Laboratory of Solidification Processing in NWPU(2020-TS-06)

Abstract

Macrosegregation is a typical solidification defect formed during vacuum arc remelting (VAR) process. This defect adversely affects the property of ingots as the defect sustains even in the subsequent heat treatment process. In the industrial production of titanium alloys, VAR is repeated thrice to eliminate inclusions and improve the homogenization of composition. However, the evolution of macrosegregation during the different stages of the triple VAR process remains unclear. In this study, the melt flow behavior and macrosegregation of titanium ingots in the multistage VAR process are examined via solidification simulations, considering both buoyancy and electromagnetic force. The results show that the strong fluid flow in the upper part of melting pool eliminates nonuniform concentration along the radial direction of the electrode. In contrast, the nonuniform concentration along the axial direction can be inherited in the sequential ingot. However, with the increase in the depth of melt pool, the sustained melt flow from the bottom to upside can reduce the axial macrosegregation delivery. In addition, the use of the previous ingot directly as the electrode for the subsequent remelting process results in severe macrosegregation. However, turning the previous ingot upside-down at least once during the three-stage VAR process can substantially reduce the macrosegregation. Overall, the simulated macrosegregation of Al and V elements in TC4 ingot agree well with that observed in experiment.

Cite this article

GUO Jie , HUANG Liqing , WU Jingyang , LI Junjie , WANG Jincheng , FAN Kai . Evolution of Macrosegregation During Three-Stage Vacuum Arc Remelting of Titanium Alloys[J]. Acta Metall Sin, 2024 , 60(11) : 1531 -1544 . DOI: 10.11900/0412.1961.2022.00544

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