Apparatus and method for manufacturing alloy thin strip

Abstract

A manufacturing device (1) of an alloy thin strip, which includes a casting nozzle (35) for casting an alloy melt (M), and a cooling roll (40) configured so that its outer peripheral surface opposes the casting nozzle (35), on the rotating cooling roll (40), the alloy melt (M) is cast from the casting nozzle (35) and an alloy thin strip (T) is formed by quenching, the alloy thin strip (T) is recovered by peeling off from the cooling roll (40) and flying, the manufacturing device (1) further includes a housing (50) in which an inert gas atmosphere is maintained, the housing (50) includes a cooling portion (54) with which the alloy thin strip (T) flying from the cooling roll (40) collides, and a discharge portion (52a) which discharges the alloy thin strip (T) which collides with the cooling portion (54) and falls.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an apparatus and method for manufacturing alloy strips. Background Technology

[0002] In recent years, iron-based amorphous alloys, primarily composed of iron (Fe), boron (B), and silicon (Si), have been used in various passive components such as inductors and reactors, as well as transformers, for use in electronic devices. A well-known method for manufacturing amorphous alloys is the melt rotation method, which involves spraying molten metal from a casting nozzle onto a rotating roller and rapidly cooling it to produce amorphous alloy strips.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an apparatus in which molten material is poured from a molten material container through a pouring nozzle onto the surface of a water-cooled roller located in a quenching tank supplied with inert gas. The molten material is rapidly cooled and solidified by the high-speed rotation of the water-cooled roller. Amorphous alloy strips are continuously produced in the quenching tank. The resulting strips are then cut, compressed, and discharged from the quenching tank.

[0004] Existing technical documents Patent documents Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 8-277403 Summary of the Invention The technical problem that the invention aims to solve The apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1 aims to prevent oxidation during the rapid cooling of the melt on the surface of the water-cooled roller to form an alloy strip by maintaining an inert gas atmosphere within the quenching tank. However, when the thickness of the alloy strip is relatively large, or when the amorphous forming ability of the alloy composition of the alloy strip is low, it is difficult to sufficiently cool the entire alloy strip using the water-cooled roller. Therefore, there is a problem that the quenching tank needs to be enlarged to ensure the cooling time of the alloy strip.

[0005] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and method for manufacturing alloy strips that can produce high-quality alloy strips with a compact structure.

[0006] Solution to the above technical problems The above-mentioned objective of the present invention is achieved by an apparatus for manufacturing an alloy strip, comprising: a pouring nozzle for pouring molten alloy; and a cooling roller configured such that its outer peripheral surface faces the pouring nozzle, on which molten alloy is poured from the pouring nozzle and rapidly cooled to form an alloy strip, which is then recovered by peeling it off the cooling roller and allowing it to fly. The apparatus further comprises a containment body internally maintained in an inert gas atmosphere, the containment body comprising: a cooling section into which the alloy strip flying from the cooling roller collides; and a discharge section into which the alloy strip that has collided with the cooling section and fallen is discharged.

[0007] The manufacturing apparatus for the alloy strip may further include a winding device that winds the alloy strip discharged from the discharge section onto a spool.

[0008] Preferably, the cooling section is formed in the shape of a flat plate and is preferably disposed along the wall of the housing.

[0009] Preferably, the lower part of the containment body is formed to gradually taper downwards, and preferably the discharge portion is formed at the lowermost end of the containment body.

[0010] Preferably, a stripping nozzle is provided inside the housing, which strips the alloy strip from the cooling roller by spraying inert gas.

[0011] Furthermore, the above-mentioned objective of the present invention is achieved by the following method for manufacturing alloy strip, which includes: a step of pouring alloy melt from a pouring nozzle onto a rotating cooling roller and forming an alloy strip by rapid cooling; a step of peeling the alloy strip from the cooling roller and allowing it to fly; and a step of cooling the alloy strip flying from the cooling roller by colliding it with a cooling section in an inert gas atmosphere.

[0012] Invention Effects The alloy strip manufacturing apparatus and method according to the present invention can produce high-quality alloy strips with a compact structure. Attached Figure Description

[0013] Figure 1 This is a simplified structural diagram of an alloy strip manufacturing apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0014] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Figure 1 This is a simplified structural diagram of an alloy strip manufacturing apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1As shown, the alloy strip manufacturing apparatus 1 is equipped with a tilting furnace 10, a melt storage tank 20, a pressure tank 30, a cooling roller 40, a housing 50, and a winding device 60.

[0015] The tilting furnace 10 heats the raw materials placed in a crucible 11 made of alumina, SiC, etc., using an induction heating coil 12, and melts them in an inert gas atmosphere such as argon to generate an alloy melt M. The crucible 11 is supported in a way that allows it to tilt about the axis of the tilting shaft 13. By tilting the crucible 11, the alloy melt M can be supplied to the melt storage tank 20.

[0016] In the melt storage tank 20, a crucible 22 is disposed inside the shell 21 with an opening 21a at the top. The alloy melt M supplied from the tilting furnace 10 through the opening 21a can be heated by the induction heating coil 23, thereby maintaining the temperature of the alloy melt M. The opening 21a can be sealed by a sealing cover 24.

[0017] The crucible 22 is equipped with a filter 25 for filtering the alloy melt M and a discharge tube 26 for discharging the alloy melt M from the bottom. With the sealing cover 24 closed, an inert gas such as argon is pressurized and supplied into the shell 21, thereby supplying the alloy melt M to the pressurized tank 30 via the discharge tube 26. The discharge tube 26 can be opened and closed by operating the melt inlet valve 27.

[0018] Within the pressurizing tank 30, an intermediate ladle 32 is housed inside the housing 31. The alloy melt M supplied to the intermediate ladle 32 from the discharge cylinder 26, which is inserted into the upper opening of the housing 31, is heated by high-frequency induction heating or by an electric heater 33 (such as a Kanthal heater or SiC heater), thereby maintaining the temperature of the alloy melt M. The pressurizing tank 30 is supported by a lifting device (not shown) that allows it to move vertically. By lowering the pressurizing tank 30, the discharge cylinder 26 is detached from the housing 31, enabling replacement or maintenance of the pressurizing tank 30.

[0019] In addition to the mechanisms for maintaining the temperature of the alloy melt M by surrounding it with heaters such as Kanthal heaters and SiC heaters, the tundish 32 is also equipped with a filter 34 for filtering the alloy melt M, and a pouring nozzle 35 made of BN (boron nitride) nozzles for pouring the alloy melt M from the bottom. By pressurizing and supplying inert gases such as argon into the shell 31, the alloy melt M is ejected from the pouring nozzle 35. Electric heaters 36 such as Kanthal heaters are arranged around the pouring nozzle 35, and the pouring nozzle 35 can be opened and closed by raising and lowering the nozzle stopper 37.

[0020] The cooling roller 40 is configured to be water-cooled, and its outer peripheral surface 41 is opposite to the pouring nozzle 35. The cooling roller 40 is driven to rotate in the direction of the arrow about the rotation axis 42. The alloy melt M poured from the pouring nozzle 35 is rapidly cooled on the rotating cooling roller 40, thereby forming an alloy strip T.

[0021] The housing 50 is configured such that an upper member 51 and a lower member 52, each having an internal receiving space, are connected to each other. A receiving port 51a is formed on the side wall of the upper member 51, which is capable of partially receiving the cooling roller 40. The alloy strip T formed on the cooling roller 40 is introduced into the upper member 51 through the receiving port 51a.

[0022] A stripping nozzle 53 is provided inside the upper component 51. The stripping nozzle 53 strips the alloy strip T from the cooling roller 40 by spraying an inert gas such as nitrogen. The inert gas sprayed from the stripping nozzle 53 is discharged to the outside through the gap between the cooling roller 40 and the periphery of the receiving port 51a.

[0023] Furthermore, a cooling section 54 is provided inside the upper member 51, opposite to the outer peripheral surface 41 of the cooling roller 40. The cooling section 54 is formed in the shape of a flat plate and is arranged along the inner wall surface of the upper member 51 so as to cause the alloy strip T, which is peeled off from the cooling roller 40 and flies away, to collide with it. The cooling section 54 is formed of a metal material with high thermal conductivity, such as copper, and can be cooled by water cooling or the like.

[0024] The lower member 52 is formed in a cone shape that gradually tapers downwards, with an opening at the bottom end forming a discharge section 52a. A gas inlet 52b and a gas outlet 52c are formed at the upper and lower parts of the lower member 52, respectively. Through the operation of the pump 56 installed in the circulation pipe 55, inert gases such as argon are introduced through the gas inlet 52b and discharged through the gas outlet 52c, thus circulating the gas. The alloy strip T, cooled within the housing 50, is discharged from the discharge section 52a.

[0025] The winding device 60 is equipped with a disc-shaped support 61 that is rotatably supported about a rotation axis 62, and a plurality of spools 63 that are rotatably supported on the support 61. Each spool 63 is driven to rotate in the direction of the arrow at the winding position P by a drive device (not shown), thereby winding the alloy strip T discharged from the discharge section 52a.

[0026] Next, the method for manufacturing alloy strips using the alloy strip manufacturing apparatus 1 having the above-described structure will be described. First, in the tilting furnace 10, argon gas is introduced while melting an ingot of Fe-based alloy, which is prepared as raw material according to a predetermined composition ratio, to generate alloy melt M. Next, argon gas is supplied into the shell 21 of the melt reservoir 20, and with the melt inlet valve 27 closed, alloy melt M is supplied from the tilting furnace 10 to the melt reservoir 20. Then, by closing the sealing cover 24, the alloy melt M is heated and held in the melt reservoir 20 under an inert gas atmosphere.

[0027] Next, with argon gas supplied into the shell 31 of the pressurizing tank 30 to create an inert atmosphere, the tundish 32 is preheated to a heating temperature of, for example, 1400°C or higher by energizing the electric heater 33. Furthermore, a nozzle cap (not shown) equipped with an electric heater such as a Kanthal heater is installed on the pouring nozzle 35, and the pouring nozzle 35 is preheated to a heating temperature of, for example, 1200°C or higher by energizing it together with the electric heater 36. Afterward, the nozzle cap is removed and the melt inlet valve 27 is opened, thereby supplying a predetermined amount (e.g., 50 kg) of alloy melt M from the melt reservoir 20 to the pressurizing tank 30, where it is heated.

[0028] When the temperature of the alloy melt M in the tundish 32 reaches the pouring temperature, the argon atmosphere pressure in the shell 31 is increased to a predetermined injection pressure (e.g., 10-50 kPa), and the alloy melt M is poured from the pouring nozzle 35 by lifting the nozzle stopper 37. Thus, the following process is performed: the alloy melt M is poured from the pouring nozzle 35 onto the rotating cooling roller 40, and a thin alloy strip T is formed by rapid cooling.

[0029] The corresponding amount of alloy melt M reduced in the pressure tank 30 due to casting can be replenished by pressurizing the melt tank 20 with argon gas to raise its pressure to a predetermined pressure and adjusting the opening of the melt inlet valve 27. Furthermore, alloy melt M can be replenished to the melt tank 20 by appropriately melting the raw materials in the tilting furnace 10.

[0030] The alloy strip T formed on the cooling roller 40 is guided into the interior of the housing 50 by the rotation of the cooling roller 40, and is peeled off from the cooling roller 40 by nitrogen gas injected from the peeling nozzle 53. Thus, the process of peeling the alloy strip T from the cooling roller 40 and flying it is carried out.

[0031] The alloy strip T, stripped from the cooling roller 40 and flying through the air, is discharged from the discharge section 52a after impacting the cooling section 54. During the cooling of the alloy strip T inside the housing 50, an inert gas atmosphere is maintained due to the circulation of nitrogen gas injected from the stripping nozzle 53 and argon gas generated by the operation of the pump 56. Thus, the following process is performed: the alloy strip T flying from the cooling roller 40 is cooled by impacting the cooling section 54 under an inert gas atmosphere.

[0032] To prevent the alloy strip T from being pulverized during the impact cooling section 54, it is preferable that the alloy strip T formed on the cooling roller 40 is an Fe-based alloy such as an Fe-Si alloy or an Fe-B alloy with excellent strength and visco-toughness and an amorphous (non-crystalline) structure. More specifically, the composition of the alloy melt M forming such an alloy can be, for example, an alloy composition with low amorphous formation ability, such as: Fe as the balance Si 12.15 Atom percentage, Fe is the balance B x Si y The composition of the atoms is expressed as follows and satisfies 10.0≤x≤15.0 and 0≤y≤3.0.

[0033] Furthermore, regarding the circumferential speed of the cooling roller 40, if it is too fast, the impact when the alloy strip T collides with the cooling section 54 will increase, and the alloy strip T will easily break. If it is too slow, it will be difficult to obtain the desired amorphous (non-crystalline) structure. Therefore, 20 to 40 m / s is preferred. This allows the cooling rate of the alloy strip T to be easily maintained at 10 times the required rapid cooling rate. 3 ~10 7 Within the range of K / s.

[0034] The leading edge of the alloy strip T discharged from the housing 50 is mounted to the winding device 60 and wound onto the spool 63 at the winding position P. Thus, the alloy strip T, initially relaxed after impacting the cooling section 54, is gradually tensioned and reliably guided to the winding device 60 via the discharge section 52a for recovery. After the alloy strip T of a predetermined length is wound, the support 61 is rotated in the direction of the arrow, moving the next spool 63 to the winding position P and initiating the winding of the alloy strip T using this spool 63. Simultaneously, the spool 63 that has finished winding the alloy strip T is replaced with a new spool 63. By repeating this operation in the winding device 60 until the supply of the alloy melt M from the pressure tank 30 ends, multiple spools 63 can be used to wind and recover the alloy strip T.

[0035] According to the alloy strip manufacturing apparatus 1 of this embodiment, when the alloy strip T formed by winding the winding device 60 onto the cooling roller 40 is kept in contact with the cooling section 54 in an inert gas atmosphere, it is possible to obtain a high-quality alloy strip T while achieving a compact structure, and effectively prevent oxidation until the alloy strip T is sufficiently cooled.

[0036] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures 1. Manufacturing apparatus for alloy strips 10 Tilting Furnace 20 Melt tank 30 Pressure Tank 35. Pouring nozzle 40 Cooling rollers 50 containment objects 52a Discharge section 54 Cooling section 60 Winding device 63 rolls M alloy melt T alloy thin strip.

Claims

1. An apparatus for manufacturing alloy strips, comprising: A pouring nozzle, used for pouring molten alloy; as well as A cooling roller, configured such that its outer circumferential surface faces the pouring nozzle. On the rotating cooling roller, molten alloy is poured from the pouring nozzle and rapidly cooled to form an alloy ribbon. The alloy ribbon is then recovered by peeling it off the cooling roller and allowing it to fly through the air. The manufacturing apparatus is characterized by further comprising a containment body internally maintained in an inert gas atmosphere. The containment includes: a cooling section, to which the alloy strip flying from the cooling roller collides; and a discharge section, which discharges the alloy strip that has collided with the cooling section and fallen.

2. The apparatus for manufacturing alloy strips according to claim 1, characterized in that, Also includes: A winding device that winds the alloy strip discharged from the discharge section onto a spool.

3. The apparatus for manufacturing alloy strips according to claim 1, characterized in that, The cooling section is formed in the shape of a flat plate and is arranged along the wall of the housing.

4. The apparatus for manufacturing alloy strips according to claim 1, characterized in that, The lower part of the containment body gradually tapers downwards, and The discharge section is formed at the bottom of the containment body.

5. The apparatus for manufacturing alloy strips according to claim 1, characterized in that, A stripping nozzle is provided inside the housing, which strips the alloy strip from the cooling roller by spraying inert gas.

6. A method for manufacturing an alloy thin strip, characterized in that, include: The process of pouring molten alloy from a pouring nozzle onto a rotating cooling roller and rapidly cooling it to form an alloy strip; The process of peeling the alloy strip from the cooling roller and flying it; and The process of cooling the alloy strip flying from the cooling roller by colliding it with the cooling section in an inert gas atmosphere.

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