Method and apparatus for manufacturing semi-solid metallic slurry

Abstract

The present invention provides a method and apparatus for manufacturing a high-quality semi-solid metallic slurry containing fine, uniform spherical particles that can be readily and conveniently applied to a subsequent process, with improvements in energy efficiency and mechanical properties, cost reduction, convenience of casting, and shorter manufacturing time. The semi-solid metallic slurry manufacturing method includes applying an electromagnetic field to a space containing a slurry vessel, loading a molten metal into the slurry vessel in a state where the electromagnetic field is applied to the space, and drawing the slurry vessel out from the space. The semi-solid metallic slurry manufacturing apparatus includes at least one slurry vessel, at least one stirring unit having a space for the at least one slurry vessel and applying an electromagnetic field to the space, a driving unit moving the slurry vessel at least up and down to place the slurry vessel in the space, and a loading unit loading a molten metal in liquid state into the slurry vessel.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method of manufacturing a semi-solid metallic slurry, the method comprising: 
 applying an electromagnetic field to a space containing a slurry vessel;    loading a molten metal into the slurry vessel in a state where the electromagnetic field is applied to the space; and    drawing the slurry vessel out from the space.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein applying the electromagnetic field to the space is performed prior to loading the molten metal into the slurry vessel.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein applying the electromagnetic field to the space is performed prior to placing the slurry vessel in the space.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein applying the electromagnetic field to the space is performed at the start of loading the molten metal into the slurry vessel.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein applying the electromagnetic field to the space is performed in the middle of loading the molten metal into the slurry vessel.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein applying the electromagnetic field to the space is sustained until a slurry in the slurry vessel has a solid fraction in the range of 0.001-0.7.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein applying the electromagnetic field to the space is sustained until the slurry in the slurry vessel has a solid fraction in the range of 0.001-0.4.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein applying the electromagnetic field to the space is sustained until the slurry in the slurry vessel has a solid fraction in the range of 0.001-0.1.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising cooling the slurry vessel containing the molten metal after loading the molten metal into the slurry vessel.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein cooling the slurry vessel containing the molten metal is sustained until a slurry in the slurry vessel has a solid fraction in the range of 0.1-0.7.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein cooling the slurry vessel containing the molten metal is performed at a rate of approximately 0.2-5.0° C./sec.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein cooling the slurry vessel containing the molten metal is performed at a rate of approximately 0.2-2.0° C./sec.  
     
     
         13 . An apparatus for manufacturing a semi-solid metallic slurry, the apparatus comprising: 
 at least one slurry vessel;    at least one stirring unit having a space for the at least one slurry vessel and applying an electromagnetic field to the space;    a driving unit moving the slurry vessel at least up and down to place the slurry vessel in the space; and    a loading unit loading a molten metal in liquid state into the slurry vessel.    
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the at least one stirring unit applies the electromagnetic field to the space prior to loading the molten metal into the at least one slurry vessel.  
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the at least one stirring unit applies the electromagnetic field to the space at the start of loading the molten metal into the at least one slurry vessel.  
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the at least one stirring unit applies the electromagnetic field to the space in the middle of loading the molten metal into the at least one slurry vessel.  
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the driving unit moves the slurry vessel up after a predetermined time from loading the molten metal into the at least one slurry vessel to draw the at least one slurry vessel out from the space.  
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the driving unit laterally shifts the at least one slurry vessel.  
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the driving unit comprises a rotary plate supporting the at least one slurry vessel at an edge, moving the at least one slurry vessel down after a predetermined time from loading the molten metal into the at least one slurry vessel, and rotating the rotary plate to draw the at least one slurry vessel out from the space.  
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the driving unit is laterally moveable along a rail, moves the at least one slurry vessel down after a predetermined time from loading the molten metal into the at least one slurry vessel, and is moved along the rail to draw the at least one slurry vessel out from the space.  
     
     
         21 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the at least one stirring unit applies the electromagnetic field to the space until a slurry in the at least one slurry vessel has a solid fraction in the range of 0.001-0.7.  
     
     
         22 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the at least one stirring unit applies the electromagnetic field to the space until the slurry in the at least one slurry vessel has a solid fraction in the range of 0.001-0.4.  
     
     
         23 . The apparatus of  claim 22 , wherein at least one stirring unit applies the electromagnetic field to the space until the slurry in the at least one slurry vessel has a solid fraction in the range of 0.001-0.1.  
     
     
         24 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the at least one slurry vessel includes a temperature control element.  
     
     
         25 . The apparatus of  claim 24 , wherein the temperature control element comprises at least one of a cooler installed in the at least one slurry vessel and an external electric heater.  
     
     
         26 . The apparatus of  claim 24 , wherein the temperature control element cools a slurry in the at least one slurry vessel to reach a solid fraction of approximately 0.1-0.7.  
     
     
         27 . The apparatus of  claim 24 , wherein the temperature control element cools the slurry in the at least one slurry vessel at a rate of approximately 0.2-5.0° C./sec.  
     
     
         28 . The apparatus of  claim 27 , wherein the temperature control element controls the slurry in the at least one slurry vessel at a rate of approximately 0.2-2.0° C./sec.