Dynamic melting model for small samples in cold crucible

Abstract

Purpose

A small size cold crucible offers possibilities for melting various electrically conducting materials with a minimal wall contact. Such small samples can be used for express contamination analysis, preparing limited amounts of reactive alloys or experimental material analyses. Aims to present a model to follow the melting process.

Design/methodology/approach

The presents a numerical model in which different types of axisymmetric coil configurations are analysed.

Findings

The presented numerical model permits dynamically to follow the melting process, the high‐frequency magnetic field distribution change, the free surface and the melting front evolution, and the associated turbulent fluid dynamics. The partially solidified skin on the contact to the cold crucible walls and bottom is dynamically predicted. The segmented crucible shape is either cylindrical, hemispherical or arbitrary shaped.

Originality/value

The model presented within the paper permits the analysis of melting times, melt shapes, electrical efficiency and particle tracks.

Citation

Bojarevics, V. and Pericleous, K. (2008), "Dynamic melting model for small samples in cold crucible", COMPEL - The international journal for computation and mathematics in electrical and electronic engineering, Vol. 27 No. 2, pp. 350-358. https://doi.org/10.1108/03321640810847634