TESTING OF LIQUID MELTS AND PROBES FOR USE IN SUCH TESTING

摘要

A probe for ultrasound testing or treatment of a molten metal comprises: an ultrasound transmitting rod (10) of which one end is a "downstream" end (12) adapted to contact molten metal under test or treatment; a piezoelectric crystal (50) adapted to supply ultrasound to or receive ultrasound from the rod (10); and rod-cooling means (16) located near to the downstream end (12) of the rod (10). A method for the treatment of a liquid metal melt, to reduce the number of inhomogeneous particles distributed through the melt comprises: creating a standing wave of ultrasound energy within the melt, e.g. using a probe as defined above, whereby the inhomogeneous particles concentrate, and are encouraged to coalesce, at the nodes of the standing wave; and separating the coalesced particles from the bulk of the liquid melt.