A Study on the continuous Casting of Titanium and TiAl Intermetallic compounds by Plasma Arc Melting Process
박표준Pyo Chun Park, 최창우Chang Woo Choi, 홍준표Chun Pyo Hong
Abstract
In this study, continuous casting of titanium and TiAl intermetallic compound was performed by the PAM(plasma arc melting) process. In the PAM process, a water cooled copper mould was used for the prevention of crucible reaction with titanium melt. The effects of Ar gas pressure, remelting and continuous casting speed on the oxide formation and microstructure of titanium ingots were studied. Titanium ingot produced by continuous casting speed of 2.0㎝/min. has more porosity than that of 1.5㎝/min. The increase in Ar gas pressure in melting chamber reduced the evaporation of aluminum during continuous casting. Remelting in continuous casting was found to minimize porosity and to increase alloy uniformity. Proper control of the process parameters such as mold temperature gradient, continuous casting speed and Ar gas pressure in the melting chamber is necessary in order to fabricate sound ingots by the PAM process.