Plasma Treatment Casting of Cast Aluminium 6XXX Wrought Alloys

摘要

The Plasma Treatment Casting (PTC) process is an advanced stirring process that stirs molten metals and alloys during solidification in conductive and nonconductive dies. The intensive stirring has several major benefits: finer microstructure, better chemical homogeneity and much more efficient feeding in both macro and micro scales. Today the casting industry is continuously pursuing methods to improve casting quality, and to save time, energy and materials, which together result in price reduction and environmental benefits. Direct-chill (DC) casting is currently the most common semi-continuous casting practice in production of 6XXX aluminium alloys. This method results in course and non-homogenous microstructures. This requires homogenization treatment to follow the casting process in order to give 6XXX DC cast billets workability in extrusion and the required mechanical properties. The PTC process can be the solution to improve the microstructure in terms of refining the microstructure, reducing porosity and creating a more homogenous microstructure.