The impact of tical and tibal grain refiners on casthouse processing

A1-3% Ti-0.15% C grain refiner has been in commercial use for over five years. It has seen use in a wide range of alloy systems and solidification process methods. A number of differences have been observed when compared to the traditional Al-Ti-B grain refiners. These include melt cleanliness, interactions with degassing and filtration systems, grain structure and surface appearance. Using state of the art equipment at the Companhia Industrial Fluminense in Brazil, these issues have been assessed on a production scale level. A wide variety of different alloys have been cast on a wheel and belt easter and processed to wire. The addition point of the grain refiner was varied between before and after the degasser, all additions being made before a ceramic foam filter. The effect of the grain nucleating particles and their interactions with melt cleanliness equipment was studied.