Magnetic Flux Controllers in Induction Heating and Melting
MAGNETIC FLUX CONTROLLERS are materials other than the copper coil that are used in induction systems to alter the flow of the magnetic field. Magnetic flux controllers used in power supplying components are not considered in this article. Magnetic flux controllers have been in existence since the development of the induction technique. Michael Faraday used two coils of wire wrapped around an iron core in his experiments that led to Faraday’s law of electromagnetic induction, which states that the electromotive force (emf) induced in a circuit is directly proportional to the time rate of change of the magnetic flux through the circuit. After the development of the induction principle, magnetic flux controllers, in the formof stacks of laminated steel, found widespread use in the development of transformers for more efficient transmission of energy (Ref 1, 2). Magnetic cores gained widespread use in the transformer industry because they increased the amount of magnetic flux produced with the same alternating current. The higher the magnetic flux, the higher the emf, which results in an increase in energy transfer efficiency from the primary winding to the secondary winding. Similar to transformers, magnetic cores were used on early furnaces for induction melting (Ref 1, 2). The benefits of magnetic flux controllers vary depending on the application. For induction heating, magnetic flux controllers can provide favorable and unfavorable paths for magnetic flux to flow, resulting in increased heating in desired areas and reduced the heating in undesirable areas, respectively. Magnetic flux controllers are not used in every induction heating application, but their use has increased (Ref 3, 4).
Advancements in Ti Alloy Powder Production by Close-Coupled Gas Atomization
As the technology for titanium metal injection molding (Ti-MIM) becomes more readily available, efficient Ti alloy fine powder production methods are required. An update on a novel close-coupled gas atomization system has been given. Unique features of the melting apparatus are shown to have measurable effects on the efficiency and ability to fully melt within the induction skull melting system (ISM). The means to initiate the melt flow were also found to be dependent on melt apparatus. Starting oxygen contents of atomization feedstock are suggested based on oxygen pick up during the atomization and MIM processes and compared to a new ASTM specification. Forming of titanium by metal injection molding (Ti-MIM) has been extensively studied with regards to binders, particle shape, and size distribution and suitable de-binding methods have been discovered. As a result, the visibility of Ti-MIM has steadily increased as reviews of technology, acceptability, and availability have been released. In addition, new ASTM specification ASTM F2885-11 for Ti-MIM for biomedical implants was released in early 2011. As the general acceptance of Ti-MIM as a viable fabrication route increases, demand for economical production of high quality Ti alloy powder for the preparation of Ti-MIM feedstock correspondingly increases. The productionmore » of spherical powders from the liquid state has required extensive pre-processing into different shapes thereby increasing costs. This has prompted examination of Ti-MIM with non-spherical particle shape. These particles are produced by the hydride/de-hydride process and are equi-axed but fragmented and angular which is less than ideal. Current prices for MIM quality titanium powder range from $40-$220/kg. While it is ideal for the MIM process to utilize spherical powders within the size range of 0.5-20 {mu}m, titanium's high affinity for oxygen to date has prohibited the use of this powder size range. In order to meet oxygen requirements the top size cut has traditionally been 45 {mu}m, and in some instances a bottom cut at +5 {mu}m is made to remove ultra-fine particles and reduce oxygen content. Predictably, use of irregular shaped or larger particle feedstock powder can reduce part quality as sintering shrinkage and part detail suffer. Thus, widespread production and technological use of Ti-MIM is limited due in large part to Ti alloy feedstock cost and availability, not MIM processing capability. Lower cost feedstock of fine, spherical Ti alloy powder with sufficient purity must be available in order to fully utilize the advantages of the Ti-MIM processing route allowing expansion of the market to small complex Ti parts in many high volume applications.« less
Rheological and Thermal Debinding Behaviors in Titanium Powder Injection Molding
Powder injection molding (PIM) is suitable for the fabrication of complex shape titanium and its alloys and has a great potential in many applications. This article deals with the injection molding of hydride-dehydride (HDH) titanium powder, spheroidized HDH titanium powder, and gas-atomized (GA) titanium powder. Rheological and thermal debinding behaviors are compared between feedstocks made from the three powders. Torque and capillary rheometers are used to investigate rheological behavior as it relates to the power-law model of viscosity and moldability index. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) was employed to analyze debinding behavior given a master decomposition curve consisting of two sigmoids. Spheroidized HDH Ti powder behaves in a manner similar to GA Ti powder. The analysis of the results in this study indicates the possibility of using a combination of HDH and GA titanium powders for PIM.