Apparatus for manufacturing semi-solid metallic slurry

Abstract

Provided is an 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, shorter manufacturing time, and easy discharge. The apparatus includes at least one sleeve for receiving molten metals in liquid state; a stirring unit for applying an electromagnetic field to the molten metals in the sleeve; at least one plunger for defining the bottom of a space where the molten metals are loaded, the plunger being inserted into an end of the sleeve; and a driving unit for driving the plunger upward and downward.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An apparatus for manufacturing a semi-solid metallic slurry, the apparatus comprising: 
 at least one sleeve for receiving molten metals in liquid state;    a stirring unit for applying an electromagnetic field to the molten metals in the sleeve;    at least one plunger for defining the bottom of a space where the molten metals are loaded, the plunger being inserted into an end of the sleeve; and    a driving unit for driving the plunger upward and downward.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the stirring unit applies the electromagnetic field to the sleeve prior to loading the molten metals into the sleeve.  
     
     
         3 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the stirring unit applies the electromagnetic field to the sleeve simultaneously with loading the molten metals into the sleeve.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the stirring unit applies the electromagnetic field to the sleeve in the middle of loading the molten metals into the sleeve.  
     
     
         5 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the stirring unit applies the electromagnetic field to the sleeve until the loaded molten metals have a solid fraction of 0.001-0.7.  
     
     
         6 . The apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein the stirring unit applies the electromagnetic field to the sleeve until the loaded molten metals have a solid fraction of 0.001-0.4.  
     
     
         7 . The apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein the stirring unit applies the electromagnetic field to the sleeve until the loaded molten metals have a solid fraction of 0.001-0.1.  
     
     
         8 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the molten metals in the sleeve are cooled until they have a solid fraction of 0.1-0.7.  
     
     
         9 . The apparatus according to  claim 8 , further comprising a temperature control element that is installed around the sleeve to cool the molten metals in the sleeve.  
     
     
         10 . The apparatus according to  claim 9 , wherein the temperature control element comprises at least one of a cooler and a heater that are installed around the sleeve.  
     
     
         11 . The apparatus according to  claim 9 , wherein the temperature control element cools the molten metals in the sleeve at a rate of 0.2-5.0° C./sec.  
     
     
         12 . The apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein the temperature control element cools the molten metals in the sleeve at a rate of 0.2-2.0° C./sec.