Simulation of the Influence of Pulsed Magnetic Field on the Superalloy Melt with the Solid–Liquid Interface in Directional Solidification

The effect of the pulsed magnetic field on the grain refinement of superalloy K4169 has been studied in directional solidification. In the presence of the solid–liquid interface condition, the distributions of the electromagnetic force, flow field, temperature field, and Joule heat in front of the solid–liquid interface in directional solidification with the pulsed magnetic field are simulated. The calculation results show that the largest electromagnetic force in the melt appears near the solid–liquid interface, and the electromagnetic force is distributed in a gradient. There are intensive electromagnetic vibrations in front of the solid–liquid interface. The forced melt convection is mainly concentrated in front of the solid–liquid interface, accompanied by a larger flow velocity. The simulation results indicate that the grain refinement is attributed to that the electromagnetic vibration and forced convection increase the nucleation rate and the probability of dendrite fragments survival, for making dendrite easily fragmented, homogenizing the melt temperature, and increasing the undercooling in front of the solid–liquid interface.