Research on Induction Melting of Titanium in Water-cooled Crucible
Titanium is a metal with excellent performance, which has been widely used in aerospace and aircraft manufacturing. With the rapid development of technology, titanium is also widely used in the production of sports equipment, ships, automobiles and construction machinery, bit-by-bit replacing traditional structural materials. After melting, titanium can produce excellent metal products with complex shapes and good mechanical properties.
However, due to its strong reactivity, titanium metal is difficult to melt. Its oxidation tendency is extremely strong and it can easily react with oxygen, nitrogen and carbon at high temperatures, thus affecting its physical and chemical properties. Therefore, it is necessary to take corresponding measures to prevent oxidation and other reactions during the melting process.
The most commonly used induction melting method used to melt titanium is by using water-cooled crucibles with induction melting. Water-cooled crucibles have good thermal insulation and heat absorption, which can effectively prevent the melting titanium from being oxidized. In addition, the surface of the crucible is relatively smooth so that it can effectively prevent the melting metal from being contaminated by the internal surface of the crucible during the melting process. In addition, the use of a water-cooled crucible can effectively reduce the risk of the liquefied metal coming into contact with the furnace body, resulting in contamination and damage.
The core of induction melting is the intense electromagnetic field that affects the melting and homogenization of the metal, which is the most important technology used to melt titanium. The electromagnetic field generated by the induction melting device causes eddy currents to be generated in the metal, and these eddy currents will generate heat energy, thus melting the metal. In addition, the electromagnetic field can also be used to make the molten metal rotate inside the crucible, stirring and homogenizing the molten metal. This increases the purity of the metal.
In order to obtain better melting results, a number of measures must be taken during the melting process. First, the amount of titanium metal that can be melted must be accurately controlled. Too much metal in the melting will cause the temperature of the molten metal to increase too much, which will affect the quality of the molten metal. In addition, the potential oxidation of the metal must also be minimized. Therefore, appropriate protective measures such as adding an inert gas or a reducing agent should be taken during the melting process. Finally, it is necessary to ensure good circulatory stirring of the molten metal. This not only helps to form the metal but also achieves better homogenization of the metal.
In conclusion, induction melting technology is a mature technology commonly used to melt titanium metal in a crucible. Water-cooled crucibles effectively improve thermal insulation and heat transfer, while the electromagnetic field of induction melting has a positive effect on the melting and homogenization of the metal. Therefore, when melting metal such as titanium, it is necessary to strictly control the amount of metal in the melting, take appropriate preventive measures against oxidation, and ensure good circulation of the molten metal. Only in this way can we ensure the quality of the metal product.
