JP2000158095A - Method for stirring molten metal in semi-solidified working, casting method using semi-solidified working and vessel used for stirring molten metal in semi- solidified working - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method for stirring molten metal, by which the stirring in a semi-solidified working is uniformly executed, a casting method utilizing the semi-solidified working which can perform casting effectively, and a vessel used for stirring of the molten metal which easily takes out the metal in the semi-solidified state without leaking the molten metal in the semi-solidified working. SOLUTION: Plurally prepared vessels 1 used for the semi-solidified working are composed of a first and a second half-split parts each forming projecting part and recessed part. The molten metal 4 supplied in the vessel 1 is alternately stirred downward and upward while cooled in a stirring device 4 and finally, stirred downward to complete the stirring. The metallic material 4 in the semi- solidified state is taken out from the vessel 1 and cast in a mold. When the one of vessel 1 is used for stirring, the other of vessel 1 is cooled and stuck material is removed and prepared for the following stirring.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method for stirring a molten metal in semi-solid processing, a casting method using the semi-solid processing, and a container used for stirring the molten metal in the semi-solid processing. The present invention relates to a stirring method, a casting method, and a container for stirring a molten metal in a predetermined direction.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Semi-solid processing has been conventionally known as a processing method for casting metal. In normal die casting in which semi-solidification processing is not performed, a molten metal melt is directly charged into a mold and a product is cast. On the other hand, in the die casting in which semi-solidification processing is performed, before the molten metal is filled in the mold, the molten metal is supplied to the container and cooled in the container, so that the molten metal is in a semi-solidified state. The metal in the semi-solid state is taken out and filled in a mold to cast a product. In semi-solidification processing, the reason that the molten metal is filled into the mold after it is in a semi-solid state is that when casting a metal having a large amount of solidification shrinkage such as an aluminum alloy and cooling it, a “nest” is formed in the molten metal. This is to reduce the occurrence of voids referred to as "".

[0003] In order to further reduce the occurrence of cavities, it is known to agitate the molten metal while cooling the molten metal to a semi-solid state in semi-solid processing. Agitation of the molten metal not only reduces the occurrence of nests, but also breaks crystal grains called dendrites that occur in the molten metal during the cooling process, and can form a round structure. The generation of this round structure facilitates deformation of the metal during casting after semi-solid processing.

[0004] As a stirring method, a so-called mechanical stirring method in which a screw or a stirring rod is inserted into the molten metal and stirring is considered, but in the mechanical stirring method, the molten metal adheres to the stirring rod or the like or a high temperature. However, there is a problem that the temperature of the stirring rod or the like rises due to direct contact between the molten metal and the stirring rod or the like.

As a stirring method other than the mechanical stirring method, there is a stirring method using an electromagnetic stirrer. The electromagnetic stirrer referred to here is based on an induction type electromagnetic pump which is composed of a duct and a multi-phase coil, and the cross section of the flow passage inside the duct is an annular flow passage. In this electromagnetic stirrer, a moving magnetic field is created in the axial direction of the duct by a multi-phase coil provided outside the duct, and this moving magnetic field passes through the molten metal in the duct, instantaneously generating an induced current in the molten metal. Then, a force based on the Fleming's left hand rule is generated in the molten metal by the moving magnetic field and the induced current induced in the molten metal, and the molten metal is driven. Stirring with an electromagnetic stirrer is considered to be more suitable for this type of stirring than mechanical stirring because it not only does not cause the above-mentioned problems but also has excellent stability of the stirring function and good controllability.

As a stirring method using the electromagnetic stirrer, a stirring method called lateral stirring is known. In horizontal stirring, an electromagnetic stirrer is formed around a substantially cylindrical container for stirring a molten metal, and a moving magnetic field is created so as to make a horizontal circuit along the inner peripheral surface of the container, and a metal in the container is formed. The molten metal is moved in the same direction as the moving magnetic field and is stirred. However, the horizontal stirring has a drawback that the molten metal in the central portion, that is, the molten metal in the vicinity of the axis of the substantially cylindrical container is difficult to be stirred, and the molten metal cannot be stirred uniformly.

[0007] As a method of producing an ingot as a metal lump, a continuous casting method has been conventionally used.
In this continuous casting method, a molten metal is supplied from an upper port of a substantially cylindrical container having an opening at a vertically upper and lower end, and is cooled and solidified when being taken out of the container from a lower port of the container. This is a method in which the metal is continuously removed. There is a semi-melting process in which an ingot produced by the continuous casting method is heated to be in a semi-molten state, and supplied to a mold for processing. The difference between semi-solid processing and semi-solid processing is that the former is an intermediate product in a series of casting cycles, while the latter is an ingot and can be stored, as well as being used The type of molten metal is the same as the metal used for the current die casting, whereas the latter is limited in type, and the casting machine used is a normal pressure die casting machine. On the other hand, the latter is a high-pressure casting machine.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-68345 specifically describes semi-solid processing. The semi-solid processing described in the publication is intended to extract solidified metal. In this semi-solid processing, molten metal is supplied from a vertically upper port of the heat insulating material and is taken out from a vertically lower port of the heat insulating material. A water film is formed in the vicinity of the vertically lower opening of the heat insulating material, and the metal to be taken out is cooled. Since the extracted metal is cooled, it is in a solidified state. Also provided is a graphite ring to serve as a lubrication between the heat insulating material and the solidified metal.

[0009] Around the heat insulating material, there are wound about six windings which are three-phase inductors in the vertical direction, and the molten metal which has not yet been cooled and solidified is slip generated by the windings. It is agitated in the moving direction of the magnetic field.

[0010] In the semi-solid processing, the molten metal located near the inner peripheral surface of the substantially cylindrical container is easily cooled.
On the other hand, the molten metal located near the axis of the substantially cylindrical container is not easily cooled. For this reason, there is a problem that only the vicinity of the inner peripheral surface of the container is rapidly cooled and solidified, and the vicinity of the center axis of the container is not solidified and falls vertically downward. In order to solve this problem, the molten metal is lowered vertically along the inner peripheral surface of the container and is raised along the central axis of the container, that is, so-called downward stirring is performed.

[0011]

In the above-mentioned conventional stirring method in the semi-solid processing, since the stirring is performed in a downward fixed direction, the effect of the stirring is insufficient, and the nest is not completely generated. That was impossible. Also,
In the above-described conventional casting method, it is not easy to remove the deposits on the container used for the semi-solidification processing after the semi-solidification processing, and effective casting cannot be performed. Further, in the above-described conventional container, it has been difficult to leak the molten metal from the mating surface of the members forming the container during stirring or to remove the semi-solid metal from the container after the semi-solid processing.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a method of agitating a molten metal capable of uniformly stirring in semi-solid processing, a casting method utilizing semi-solid processing capable of efficient casting, and a method of forming a molten metal in semi-solid processing. It is an object of the present invention to provide a container used for stirring a molten metal in which a semi-solid state metal is easily removed without leakage of the molten metal.

[0013]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention relates to a method for producing a semi-solid metal in which a molten metal 4 supplied into a vessel 1 for semi-solid processing is stirred while being cooled. In the method of stirring the molten metal 4, the metal molten metal 4 is lowered vertically along the inner peripheral surface 13 </ b> B of the container 1, and is stirred in a downward direction on the central axis of the container 1 and the vicinity thereof, The metal melt 4 is raised vertically upward along the inner peripheral surface 13B of the container 1, and is stirred on the central axis of the container 1 and the vicinity thereof, in the upward direction.
The present invention provides a method for agitating a molten metal in semi-solidification processing in which the agitation is performed alternately by a force generated by a moving magnetic field passing through the molten metal 4 and the agitation is performed after the downward agitation is performed.

The present invention also provides a supplying step of supplying the molten metal 4 to one of the plurality of containers 1, a container setting step of setting the container supplied with the molten metal 4 in the stirring device 2, In the stirrer, while the metal melt 4 is being cooled, the metal melt 4 is lowered vertically downward along the inner peripheral surface 13B of the container 1 to be raised on the central axis of the container 1 and its vicinity. Stirring in the downward direction and the inner peripheral surface 1 of the container.
The molten metal 4 is lifted vertically upward along 3B, and agitated in the upward direction, which is lowered on the central axis of the container 1 and around the periphery thereof, is a force generated by a moving magnetic field passing through the molten metal 4. Alternately, the stirring in the downward direction is performed, then the stirring is terminated, and the alternate stirring semi-solidification step in which a semi-solid metal material is generated, and the container 1 is withdrawn from the stirring device. A metal material extracting step of extracting the metal material from the container 1 withdrawn from the stirring device 2 in the container extracting step and the container extracting step, and forming the metal material extracted in the metal material extracting step into a mold. A casting step of filling and casting into a container, a vessel cooling step of cooling the vessel 1 for the next alternating stirring semi-solidification step, and removing deposits on the vessel 1 for the next alternating stirring semi-solidification step. Adhering matter removing step,
While at least one of the metal material removing step, the casting step, the container cooling step, and the attached matter removing step is being performed, the supply step, the container setting step, and the The present invention provides a casting method using semi-solidification processing for performing an alternating stirring semi-solidification step.

Further, according to the present invention, in order to stir the molten metal 4 in the semi-solidification processing, the container 1 for holding the molten metal 4 has a substantially cylindrical shape with a bottom and a substantially cylindrical shape. The first divided by a plane containing the cylindrical axis
And a second half 20 of the first half. The first half 10 has a first bottom 12 having a substantially semicircular shape,
A first circumferential surface portion 13 having a substantially semicircular cross section including a first circular arc portion 13A and a first virtual chord portion;
Has a shape in which the radial distance between the outer circumference of the first arc portion 13A and the first chord portion is smaller than the radius of the circle including the first arc portion 13A, and the second half portion 20 Is a second semi-circular second bottom portion 22 having a substantially semicircular second bottom portion 22, a second arc portion 23A having the same curvature as the first arc portion 13A, and a second virtual chord portion. A peripheral surface portion 23, and the second peripheral surface portion 2
3 is such that the radial distance between the outer periphery of the second arc portion 23A and the second chord portion is smaller than the radius of the circle including the second arc portion 23A, and A projection 11A is formed on one of the mating surfaces 11 and 21 of the first half 10 and the second half 20; The other mating surface 21 has the convex portion 11A
21A is formed, and the mating surfaces 11 and 21 of the first and second peripheral portions 13 and 23 are located radially outward with respect to the concave portion 21A and the convex portion 11A. , Rotating portions 16 and 26 are provided, and the first half 10
Is provided so as to be rotatable relative to the second half portion 20. The container 1 is vertically lowered along the inner peripheral surface 13B of the container 1 so that the molten metal 4 is lowered. The stirring is performed in a downward direction on the central axis of the container 1 and in the vicinity thereof, and the molten metal 4 is vertically upward along the inner peripheral surface 13B of the container 1.
Is raised and lowered on the central axis of the container 1 and the vicinity thereof, and the stirring in the upward direction is alternately performed by the force generated by the moving magnetic field passing through the molten metal 4,
Provided is a container used for stirring a molten metal in semi-solid processing, which is used for a method of stirring molten metal in semi-solid processing in which stirring is terminated after the downward stirring is performed.

Further, the present invention provides a container for holding the molten metal in order to stir the molten metal in the semi-solidification processing, wherein the container has a bottomed shape with an open upper end. The material is formed so that air can easily flow between the molten metal and the container, and the molten metal is lowered vertically downward along the inner peripheral surface of the container. Stirring in the downward direction, which is raised near the vicinity, and stirring in the upward direction, in which the molten metal is raised vertically upward along the inner peripheral surface of the container and lowered on the central axis of the container and the vicinity thereof. Is alternately performed by a force generated by a moving magnetic field passing through the molten metal, and is used in a method of stirring a molten metal in a semi-solidification process in which the stirring is terminated after the downward stirring is performed. Dispersion of molten metal It provides a container used to.

[0017]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 to FIG. 1 show a stirring method of molten metal in semi-solid processing, a casting method using semi-solid processing and a container used for stirring of molten metal in semi-solid processing. 13 will be described.

First, a container used for stirring a molten metal in semi-solid processing will be described with reference to FIGS.

The vessel 1 used for stirring the molten metal in the semi-solidification processing is made of a non-magnetic metal material such as graphite or stainless steel used for the electrode, and has a substantially cylindrical shape with a bottom. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 8, the container 1 includes a first half portion 10 and a second half portion 20 divided by a plane including the substantially cylindrical axis. . The first half portion 10 is connected to the second half portion so as to be relatively rotatable around a rotation portion 16, and is connected to the mating surface 11 of the first half portion 10. When the mating surfaces 21 of the second half portions 20 are in contact with each other, the first half portion 10 and the second half portion 20 form the substantially cylindrical container 1.

As shown in the top view of FIG. 1 and the bottom view of FIG. 3, the first half portion 10 has a first bottom portion 12 having a substantially semicircular shape, a first circular arc portion 13A and a first arc portion 13A. And a first peripheral surface portion 13 having a substantially semicircular cross section composed of a virtual chord portion.

The first circumferential surface portion 13 has a radial distance R between the inner periphery of the first arc portion 13A and the first chord portion smaller than the radius of a circle including the inner periphery of the first arc portion 13A. It has a shape. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 1, the angle θ between the tangent T of the inner circumference of the arc portion 13A on the mating surface and the first chord portion is an acute angle. As a result, the inner peripheral cross section of the container 1 has a shape that is not a perfect circle.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the first peripheral surface 13 has a first cylindrical portion 14 which is longer in the vertical direction and a first crown which is shorter in the vertical direction than the first cylindrical portion 14. And a unit 15. Both the first cylindrical portion 14 and the first crown portion 15 have a substantially semicircular cross section, but have different radial thicknesses in the cross section. For this reason, the inner peripheral surface 13B of the first cylindrical portion 14
And the inner peripheral surface of the first crown portion 15 are flush with each other.
The first crown portion 15 has a shape protruding outward in the radial direction of the cross section than the fourth crown portion 4.

As shown in FIG. 2, the first bottom portion 12 has a shape in which the inner peripheral surface 12A forms a part of a spherical surface, and is formed by the inner peripheral surface 12A and the inner peripheral surface 13B of the first peripheral surface portion 13. Form the inner peripheral surface of the container. The outer peripheral portion 12B of the first bottom portion 12 is a plurality of concentric semicircles centered on the axis of the substantially cylindrical container as shown in FIGS. It consists of a short semicircle that can be installed on a table that moves the container up and down, and has a step-like shape to prevent the container from opening. The vertical upper end portion of the first bottom portion 12 and the vertical lower end portion of the first cylindrical portion 14, and the vertical upper end portion of the first cylindrical portion 14 and the vertical lower end portion of the first crown portion 15 are: Each is welded and integrated.

The mating surface 11 is, as shown in FIG.
The first bottom portion 12, the first cylindrical portion 14, and the first crown portion 15 are portions that are in contact with the second half portions 20, respectively, and are flush with each other. The mating surface 11 has a convex portion 11 uniformly protruding in the direction of the second half portion 20 in contact with the first half portion 10.
A is formed so as to form a part of the inner peripheral portion along the inner peripheral surface of the first half portion.

The rotating parts 16, 16 are projections formed on the mating surface of the first peripheral surface part 13 and located radially outward with respect to the projection 11A, and are shown in FIGS. The through holes 16a, 16a are formed vertically in the vertical direction. The through holes 16a, 16a and the through holes 26 of the rotating portion 26 of the second half portion 20 shown in FIGS.
a is rotatably penetrated by a pin (not shown), and the first half portion 10 is rotated with respect to the second half portion by rotating portions 16 and 26.
Are connected so as to be relatively rotatable around the pin.

The second half 20 is composed of a second bottom 22 having a substantially semicircular shape, a second arc 23A having the same curvature as the first arc 13A, and a second virtual chord. And a second circumferential surface portion 23 having a substantially semicircular cross section. The second circumferential surface portion 23 has a radial distance between the outer circumference of the second circular arc portion 23A and the second chord portion. It has a shape smaller than the radius of the circle including the portion 23 </ b> A, and has substantially the same shape as the first half portion 10. The second half part 20 has the same shape except for a part of the mating surface and the rotating part.

The mating surface 21 of the second half portion 20 has a concave portion 21A into which the convex portion 11A of the first half portion can be uniformly fitted. Mating surface 1
The portions other than the one convex portion 11A uniformly contact. Also,
The position where the rotating portion 26 of the second half portion 20 is formed is slightly different from the position where the rotating portion 16 of the first half portion 10 is formed. When the mating surface 11 and the mating surface 21 are uniformly in contact with each other, the rotating portion 1 of the first half portion 10
6 and a through hole 26a formed in the rotating portion 26 of the second half portion 20 so as to have a coaxial positional relationship in the vertical and vertical directions. Is formed vertically above the position where the rotating portion 16 is formed.

The container used for stirring the molten metal in the semi-solidification processing has a substantially cylindrical shape, and the container is composed of a first and a second half portion divided into two by a plane including the axis of the substantially cylindrical shape. So that the first and second portions of the first and second halves are
Each of the peripheral surface portions has a shape in which the radial distance between the outer periphery of the arc portion and the virtual chord portion is smaller than the radius of the circle including the arc portion. For this reason, the angle θ between the tangent of the circular arc portion on the mating surface and the first chord portion is an acute angle, and when the second half portion 20 is opened with respect to the first half portion 10, the opening is formed. Since the metal material spreads in a direction in which the metal material is stirred and cooled, the solid phase ratio of the metal material is 0.1%.
Even if the metal material is generated in a lump when it is relatively high as 4 or more, the metal material can be very easily removed from the container. In addition, since the convex portion and the concave portion are fitted to each other at a part of the mating surface, it is possible to prevent the molten metal from leaking from the mating surface of the container when the metal melt is vertically stirred by semi-solid processing.

Next, a method of stirring the molten metal in the semi-solidification processing will be described with reference to FIGS.

The stirring of the molten metal 4 in the semi-solidification processing is performed as follows.
This is performed by a stirring device 2 as shown in FIG. The stirring device 2 includes the above-described electromagnetic stirrer, and the molten metal 4 is stirred by the electromagnetic stirrer.

As shown in FIG. 9, a vessel 1 containing a molten metal 4 of an aluminum alloy is provided in a stirring device 2.
A substantially cylindrical hole 2A is formed to support
A support member 5 connected to an air cylinder (not shown) is provided, and the container 1 is supported by the hole 2A and the support member 5. The inside of the stirring device 2 facing the first and second peripheral surfaces 13 and 23 of the container 1 surrounds the first and second peripheral surfaces 13 and 23 of the container 1 so that a total of 6 A plurality of coils are provided, and a multiphase coil 3 forming an electromagnetic stirrer is configured.

The molten metal 4 is agitated by generating a moving magnetic field in the molten metal 4 in the container 1 by the multi-phase coil 3 constituting the electromagnetic stirrer, and moving the molten metal 4. The agitation will be described in order. First, the molten metal 4 is lowered vertically downward along the inner peripheral surface of the container, and the metal melt 4 is agitated in a downward direction to be raised on the central axis of the container and the vicinity thereof. The arrow B in FIG. 9 and the arrow in FIG. 10A indicate the moving direction of the molten metal 4 when the stirring is performed in the downward direction. Next, the polyphase coil 3
Is changed, the molten metal 4 rises vertically upward along the inner peripheral surface of the container, and is stirred in an upward direction to be lowered on the central axis of the container and the vicinity thereof. FIG.
The arrow in (b) indicates the moving direction of the molten metal 4 when the upward direction is performed. Then, the stirring in the downward direction and the stirring in the upward direction are performed at least once at least once, and then the stirring in the downward direction is performed. After the downward stirring is performed, the stirring is terminated. After the stirring is completed, the supporting member 5 is urged vertically upward by an air cylinder (not shown), whereby the container 1 is lifted vertically upward, and the container 1 is taken out from the stirring device 2.

FIGS. 11 to 13 show a method of agitating a molten metal in a semi-solidification process according to the present invention and a method of agitating a molten metal in a semi-solidification process by another method. A cross-sectional photograph is shown. The metal material used for the semi-solidification processing is an ADC10 alloy for die casting according to JIS standards.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional photograph of a metal material in a semi-solid state produced by the method of stirring a molten metal in the semi-solid processing according to the present invention. The time spent on stirring
118 seconds. FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional photograph of a semi-solid metal material obtained by performing only downward stirring. The time spent for stirring is 130 seconds. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional photograph of a metal material in a semi-solid state obtained by performing only upward stirring.
The time spent for agitation is 138 seconds.

As is clear from the photographs of FIGS. 11 to 13, no nests are generated in the metal material which has been brought into a semi-solid state by the stirring method according to the present invention, and the time spent for stirring Is greatly shortened as compared with the stirring method by other methods. When only stirring in the upward direction is performed, FIG.
As is clear from FIG. 3, nests are formed below the metal material, and the time required for stirring is considerably long. When only the downward stirring is performed, as shown in FIG. 12, although no nest is generated in the metal material, the time required for the stirring is considerably longer as compared with the method of the present invention.

After alternately stirring in the downward direction and the upward direction, the stirring is terminated by finally performing the downward stirring, so that the effect of the stirring can be sufficiently expected, and a so-called "nest" is generated. A metal material in a semi-solid state can be produced without performing. Lastly, by performing downward stirring, the molten metal can be replenished into the void at the central portion of the molten metal generated by the upward stirring. Furthermore, the time required for stirring can be significantly reduced, and the production efficiency when a metal material in a semi-solid state is subsequently cast to produce a product can be greatly improved.

Next, a casting method using semi-solid processing will be described. In the casting method using semi-solid processing according to the present invention, a stirring method for a molten metal in semi-solid processing according to the present invention is performed instead of the stirring method in the conventional casting method using semi-solid processing. The casting method using semi-solidification is as follows.

A plurality of containers 1 used for stirring the molten metal are prepared, and the molten metal is supplied to one of the plurality of containers 1 (supplying step). Next, the container 1 to which the molten metal is supplied is set in the stirring device 2 (container setting step). In the stirring device 2, while the molten metal 4 is being cooled,
The molten metal 4 is lowered vertically along the inner peripheral surface of the container 1, and is stirred in a downward direction in which the molten metal 4 is raised on the central axis of the container 1 and the vicinity thereof, and vertically along the inner peripheral surface 13 </ b> B of the container 1. The stirring in the upward direction, in which the molten metal 4 is raised upward and lowered on the central axis of the container 1 and the vicinity thereof, is alternately performed by the force generated by the moving magnetic field passing through the molten metal 4, and the downward direction is performed. After the stirring, the stirring is terminated, and the metal material 4 in a semi-solid state is generated (alternating stirring semi-solidification step). Next, the container 1 is withdrawn from the stirring device 2, and the semi-solid metal material 4 is removed from the withdrawn container 1 (metal material removal step). Next, the removed metal material 4 is filled in a mold and casting is performed (casting step). Next, for the next alternating stirring semi-solidification step, the container 1 is cooled (container cooling step), and the deposits in the container 1 are removed by air blowing or vibration (adhesion removal step).

While the above-described metal material removal process is being performed on one container, the above-described supply process, container setting process, and alternating stirring semi-solidification process are performed on another container. In other words, when one container is not used for the alternating stirring semi-solidification process, the other container is used for the alternating stirring semi-solidification process.

Since the stirring method of the molten metal in the semi-solid processing of the present invention is used in the conventional casting method using the semi-solid processing, the effect of the stirring can be sufficiently expected, and the so-called "nest" can be obtained without generating so-called "nests". A solidified metal material can be produced. In addition, a plurality of containers are prepared, and while one container is used in the alternating stirring semi-solidification process, the other containers not used in the alternating stirring semi-solidification process are cooled to remove adhered substances. Since preparations are made for use in the next alternating stirring semi-solidification step, it is possible to contribute to an improvement in cooling effect and an improvement in productivity. Further, since the container used in the alternating stirring semi-solidification step is cooled, and thereafter the deposits in the container are removed, the deposits are also cooled, so that the deposits can be removed very easily.

The method for agitating molten metal in semi-solidification according to the present invention, the casting method using semi-solidification and the vessel used for agitating molten metal in semi-solidification are not limited to the above-described embodiments. Various modifications and improvements are possible within the range described in the range. For example, in this embodiment, the first and second halves are configured so that the container can be divided into two parts when the semi-solidified metal material is taken out. The crucible may be turned upside down to take out a metal material by gravity. In this case, a graphite crucible having a high porosity may be used in order to make the substantially crucible-shaped container itself air-permeable to facilitate removal of the metal material. In order to facilitate the removal of the metal material by allowing air to flow between the container and the metal material, kaolin or the like may be applied to the substantially crucible-shaped inner peripheral surface. In addition, a hole is formed in the bottom of the substantially crucible-shaped container in order to forcibly introduce outside air between the container and the metal material to facilitate removal of the metal material, and to cover the hole when stirring the molten metal. , And the cover may be removed when removing the metal material. In the case of this configuration, it can be widely used in cases where the solid phase ratio of the metal material is low to high. In addition, a sintered vent that cannot pass through the molten metal but can be ventilated may be provided at the bottom of the substantially crucible-shaped container so that outside air can be introduced into the container. Also, irregularities may be formed on the inner peripheral surface of the substantially crucible-shaped container.

Further, while the casting process is being performed on one container, the supplying process, the container setting process, and the alternating stirring semi-solidification process may be performed on another container. Also,
While the container cooling step is being performed on one container, the supply step, the container setting step, and the alternating stirring semi-solidification step may be performed on another container. In addition, the supply step, the container setting step, and the alternately stirring semi-solidification step may be performed on another container while the adhering matter removing step is performed on one container. In any case, while at least one of the metal material removal process, the casting process, the container cooling process, and the deposit removal process is being performed, the supply process, the container setting process, and the alternately stirring semi-solidification are performed on the other containers. And the conversion step.

[0043]

According to the method for agitating a molten metal in the semi-solidification processing according to the first aspect, the agitation is terminated by performing downward agitation after alternately agitation in the downward direction and the upward direction. Therefore, a metal material in a semi-solid state can be generated without generating a so-called "nest", and the time required for stirring can be significantly reduced.

According to the casting method using the semi-solidification processing according to the second aspect, since the method for stirring the molten metal in the semi-solidification processing of the present invention is used for the casting method using the semi-solidification processing, a so-called “nest” is formed. A metal material in a semi-solid state can be generated without generation. Also, multiple containers are prepared,
While one container is being used in the alternating stirring semi-solidification process, the other containers not used in the alternating stirring semi-solidification process are cooled to remove deposits, and the next alternate stirring semi-solidification is performed. Since preparation for use in the process is performed, it is possible to contribute to improvement of a cooling effect and improvement of productivity. Furthermore, since the deposits in the container are removed after cooling the container used in the alternating stirring semi-solidification step, the deposits are also cooled, so that the deposits can be removed very easily.

According to the container used for stirring the molten metal in the semi-solid processing, the container used for stirring the molten metal in the semi-solid processing has a substantially cylindrical shape.
The container is constituted by first and second halves divided into two by a plane including a substantially cylindrical axis, and the first and second halves of the first and second halves are respectively formed. Since the surface portion has a shape in which the radial distance between the outer periphery of the circular arc portion and the virtual chord portion is smaller than the radius of the circle including the circular arc portion, the generated metal material can be extremely easily removed from the container. In addition, since the convex portion and the concave portion are fitted on the mating surface, it is possible to prevent the molten metal from leaking from the mating surface of the container when the metal melt is stirred in the vertical direction by the semi-solidification processing.

According to the container used for stirring the molten metal in the semi-solidification processing according to the fourth aspect, since the air is easily formed to flow between the semi-solidified metal material and the container, the metal material is formed. Can be very easily removed from the container.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a top view showing a first half portion of a container used for stirring a molten metal in semi-solid processing according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view showing a first half portion of a container used for stirring the molten metal in the semi-solidification processing according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a bottom view showing a first half portion of a container used for stirring a molten metal in semi-solid processing according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a side view showing a first half portion of a container used for stirring the molten metal in the semi-solidification processing according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a top view showing a second half portion of a container used for stirring the molten metal in the semi-solidification processing according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a front view showing a second half portion of the container used for stirring the molten metal in the semi-solidification processing according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a bottom view showing a second half portion of the container used for stirring the molten metal in the semi-solidification processing according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a side view showing a second half portion of a container used for stirring the molten metal in the semi-solidification processing according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing a stirring device used in a method of stirring a molten metal in semi-solid processing according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 shows a direction in which the molten metal is agitated in the method of agitating the molten metal in the semi-solidification processing according to the embodiment of the present invention, and (a) schematically shows a moving direction of the molten metal during the downward stirring. FIG. 3B is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a moving direction of the molten metal during stirring in an upward direction.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional photograph showing a metal material that has been solidified by a method of agitating a molten metal in semi-solid processing according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional photograph showing a metal material solidified by a method of stirring a molten metal in a downward direction.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional photograph showing a metal material that has been solidified by a method of stirring a molten metal in an upward direction.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 container 2 stirrer 4 molten metal 10 first half part 11 mating surface 11A convex part 12 first bottom part 13 first peripheral surface part 13A first circular arc part 13B inner peripheral surface 16 rotating part 20 second half Split part 21 Fitting surface 21A Concave part 22 Second bottom part 23 Second peripheral surface part 23A Second circular arc part 26 Rotating part

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI theme coat ゛ (Reference) B22D 41/14 B22D 41/14

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A method for agitating molten metal in a semi-solidification process in which a molten metal supplied into a container is stirred while being cooled, wherein the molten metal descends vertically downward along an inner peripheral surface of the container. Agitating in the downward direction, which is raised on the central axis of the container and its vicinity, and vertically rising along the inner peripheral surface of the container so that the molten metal is raised on the central axis of the container and in the vicinity thereof The stirring in the upward direction is performed alternately by the force generated by the moving magnetic field passing through the molten metal, and the stirring is terminated after the stirring in the downward direction. Stirring method of molten metal in solidification processing. A supply step of supplying the molten metal to one of the plurality of containers; a container setting step of setting the container to which the molten metal has been supplied into a stirring device; While being cooled, the molten metal is lowered vertically along the inner peripheral surface of the container, and is stirred on the central axis of the container and in the vicinity of the periphery thereof in a downward direction, and the inner peripheral surface of the container is cooled. The molten metal is lifted vertically upward along the axis of the vessel, and the molten metal is agitated in the upward direction, which is lowered on the central axis of the container and in the vicinity thereof, by a force generated by a moving magnetic field passing through the molten metal. And
After the stirring in the downward direction, the stirring is terminated, and an alternate stirring semi-solidification step in which a semi-solid metal material is generated; a container removal step of removing the container from the stirring device; A metal material removing step of removing the metal material from the container withdrawn from the stirring device in the container removing step, a casting step of filling and casting the metal material removed in the metal material removing step in a mold; A vessel cooling step of cooling the vessel for the next alternating stirring semi-solidification step; a deposit removing step of removing deposits in the vessel for the next alternating stirring semi-solidification step; While at least one of the unloading step, the casting step, the container cooling step, and the deposit removing step is being performed, the supply step, the container setting step, and the alternating stirring semi-solidification of the other containers are performed. Process Casting method using a semi-solid processing, characterized in. 3. A container for holding the molten metal for agitating the molten metal in the semi-solidification processing, wherein the container has a substantially cylindrical shape with a bottom and a plane including an axis of the substantially cylindrical shape. A first half portion and a second half portion divided by the first half portion, the first half portion has a substantially semicircular first bottom portion, a first arc portion and a first half portion. And a first circumferential surface portion having a substantially semicircular cross section composed of an imaginary chord portion, and the first circumferential surface portion has a radial distance between the outer periphery of the first arc portion and the first chord portion. The second half portion has a substantially semicircular second bottom portion and the first half portion has a shape smaller than a radius of a circle including the first arc portion.
And a second circumferential surface portion having a substantially semicircular cross-section, comprising a second circular arc portion having the same curvature as the circular arc portion and a second virtual chord portion.
The peripheral surface portion has a shape in which a radial distance between an outer periphery of the second arc portion and the second chord portion is smaller than a radius of a circle including the second arc portion, and the first half portion is formed. And a convex portion is formed on one of the mating surfaces of the first half portion and the second half portion, and the convex portion is formed on the other mating surface. A concave portion is formed to fit with the first and second peripheral surface portions, and a rotating portion is provided at a position radially outward with respect to the concave portion and the convex portion. A first half portion is provided so as to be rotatable relative to the second half portion; and in the container, the molten metal is lowered vertically downward along an inner peripheral surface of the container. Agitating in the downward direction, which is raised on the central axis of the container and the vicinity thereof, and the metal melt is raised vertically upward along the inner peripheral surface of the container, and is lowered on the central axis of the container and the vicinity thereof. The stirring in the upward direction is alternately performed by the force generated by the moving magnetic field passing through the molten metal, and the stirring is performed in the semi-solidification processing in which the stirring is completed after the downward stirring is performed. A container used for agitating a molten metal in semi-solidification processing, characterized by being used for: 4. A container for holding the molten metal in the semi-solidification processing for stirring the molten metal, wherein the container has a bottomed shape with an open upper end, and the surface and material of the container are different from the molten metal. The container is formed so that air can easily flow in between the container and the container. The molten metal is lowered vertically downward along the inner peripheral surface of the container, and is raised on the central axis of the container and in the vicinity thereof. The stirring in the downward direction, and the stirring in the upward direction in which the molten metal is raised vertically upward along the inner peripheral surface of the container and lowered on the central axis of the container and the vicinity thereof, In the semi-solid processing, the method is used in a method of stirring a molten metal in a semi-solid processing in which the stirring is performed alternately by a force generated by a moving magnetic field passing through the molten metal, and the stirring is completed after the downward stirring is performed. Dispersion of molten metal Container used for stirring.