Copper distribution in Fe-Cu and Fe-C-Cu alloys under imposition of an intense magnetic field

Abstract

Solidification experiments of Fe-0.44%Cu and Fe-3.95%C-0.40%Cu alloys were conducted to investigate the effects of an intense magnetic field on copper distribution in their solidified structures. Experiments with melting and solidifying the samples were carried out in a superconducting magnet. Around the center of the vertical cross-section of the solidified sample, multiple line analysis of copper concentration was conducted with the help of FE-SEM/EDS. The following results have been found. The copper distribution in Fe-0.44%Cu alloy is independent of the imposition of the magnetic field during the solidification. On the other hand, the solidifying process under a 10T magnetic field tends to make a uniform micro distribution of copper in Fe-3.95%C-0.40%Cu alloy in comparison with the sample solidified without the magnetic field. © 2008 ISIJ.