Method and apparatus for making semi-solid metal slurry

Abstract

The invention relates to a method and apparatus for manufacturing a semi-solid metal slurry, and more particularly to a method and apparatus for manufacturing a semi-solid metal slurry having a uniform spherical structure through a simple process. The method comprises the steps of feeding molten metal into a furnace, agitating the molten metal in the furnace by application of an electromagnetic field through an electromagnetic agitator to remove a temperature difference in the molten metal while suppressing growth of dendrites, performing rapid cooling to remove a specific heat and latent heat of the molten metal emitted from the furnace in a cooling part to prevent oxidation of the molten metal in an inert atmosphere while preventing dendrites from being formed therein, and storing the cooled semi-solid metal slurry dropped through a guide member positioned at an angle such that the semi-solid metal slurry is uniformly distributed in a slurry storing container.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for manufacturing a semi-solid metal slurry, and more particularly to a method and apparatus for manufacturing a semi-solid metal slurry having a uniform spherical structure through a simple process. [0003] 2. Description of the Related Art [0004] In general, semi-solid metal forming is a method for forming metal or a metallic composite material in a range of temperature within which a liquid phase and a solid phase exist together. The semi-solid metal forming technology has been studied and developed for practical use, as a new technology, which can relieve drawbacks while maximizing advantages of a casting method for forming metal in a molten state and of a forging method for forming metal in a solid state. In order to effectively form the semi-solid metal, it is important to manufacture slurry having an initial structure with spherical particles uniformly di...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0009] Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a method for manufacturing a semi-solid metal slurry having a uniform spherical structure through a simple process.

[0010] It is another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for manufacturing a semi-solid metal slurry, designed to have a united simple construction from supply of molten metal to forming of the semi-solid metal slurry, thereby allowing convenient manufacturing of the semi-solid metal slurry having a uniform spherical structure.

[0011] It is still another object of the present invention to minimize a temperature difference of molten metal fed into a furnace.

[0012] It is still another object of the present invention to perform rapid cooling of the molten metal with greater efficiency.

[0014] In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the above and other objects can be accomplished by the provision of a method for manufacturing a semi-solid metal slurry having a uniform spherical structure, comprising the steps of: feeding molten metal into a furnace; agitating the molten metal in the furnace by application of an electromagnetic field through an electromagnetic agitator to remove a temperature difference in the molten metal while suppressing growth of dendrites; performing rapid cooling to remove a specific heat and latent heat of the molten metal emitted from the furnace in a cooling part to prevent oxidation of the molten metal in an inert atmosphere while preventing dendrites from being formed therein; and storing the cooled semi-solid metal slurry dropped through a guide member positioned at an angle such that the semi-solid metal slurry is uniformly distributed in a slurry storing container.

Problems solved by technology

However, according to the conventional method and apparatus for manufacturing the semi-solid metal slurry, the shear stress is used for forming the spherical structure by destructing the dendrites.

That is, in the conventional method and apparatus, since force, such as vibration, is applied to the dendrites after some portion of the molten metal has a temperature lowered below a liquidus line of the metal, it is difficult to achieve entirely uniform and fine structure in an initial solidification layer and metallic structure formed therefrom due to non-uniformity of the temperature within a furnace.

Additionally, if an injection temperature into the furnace having the molten metal is not controlled, the non-uniformity of the structure becomes serious due to a temperature difference between a wall of the furnace and the center of the furnace.

However, according to this method, since the semi-solid metal slurry is manufactured through several steps, it is troublesome and time consuming, thereby remarkably reducing the productivity of the semi-solid metal slurry.

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