METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR PROCESSING OF SEMI-SOLID METAL ALLOYS

摘要

Apparatus (10) for producing a semi-solid metal alloy from a molten charge includes vertically aligned treatment zones (12, 12.1) and (12.2) which are provided by vertically aligned passages defined by a plurality of spirally wound flow pipes (132) which are interspersed between spirally wound induction coils (130). A container (14) is mounted on a charging arrangement (20) which displaces a first charge upwardly into the first treatment zone (12). Successive charges are introduced in a similar fashion thereby urging the previously introduced charge upwardly along the train of zones (12, 12.1 and 12.2) until the leading charge is ejected from the top of the apparatus (10). The charge in each zone is subjected to controlled cooling and an induced electromagnetic field. The strength of the field and the rate of cooling are controlled to impede dendritic crystallisation and to promote globular primary crystal formation.