Modification of macrosegregation patterns in rolling slab ingots by bulk grain migration

Abstract

In recent years the metallurgical community has debated on the influence of floating grains on macrosegregation in Direct-Chill cast rolling-slab ingots. The majority of research to date has been primarily focused on the origin and trajectory of these grains and how to incorporate them into numerical simulations. We propose a novel mixing technique to promote the resuspension of these grains. In order to test this approach, pairs of ingots were cast using the standard DC and mixing techniques. Non-grain refined PI050 ingots were cast in order to illustrate the change in microstructure, while A14.5Cu ingots were cast to investigate the potential change in macrosegregation. The mixing trials indicate the potential to significantly modify microstructure and macrosegregation in rolling-slab ingots.