Output details
13 - Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Metallurgy and Materials
University of Greenwich
A multiscale 3D model of the vacuum arc remelting process
High quality steel and titanium ingots for aerospace and power generation are produced by Vacuum Arc Remelting (VAR) using a DC arc to melt electrode feed material. The melt pool is stirred by buoyancy and electromagnetic fields. Complex interactions with the solidifying front lead to defects, as in cases where the arc wanders altering flow and temperature. World first 3D coupled macro (UG) plus micro models (IC) through a shared PhD student (Yuan) and EM field measurements (Birmingham) identify causes of common defects (white spot, freckles). EPSRC EP/D505011/1 (UG £169k), industrial partners Rolls-Royce, Corus, Wiggins Special Metals [contact: R.Siddall@wiggins.co.uk]