Method and apparatus for making semi-solid metal slurry

Abstract

The invention relates to a method and apparatus for manufacturing a semi-solid metal slurry, and more particularly to a method and apparatus for manufacturing a semi-solid metal slurry having a uniform spherical structure through a simple process. The method comprises the steps of feeding molten metal into a furnace, agitating the molten metal in the furnace by application of an electromagnetic field through an electromagnetic agitator to remove a temperature difference in the molten metal while suppressing growth of dendrites, performing rapid cooling to remove a specific heat and latent heat of the molten metal emitted from the furnace in a cooling part to prevent oxidation of the molten metal in an inert atmosphere while preventing dendrites from being formed therein, and storing the cooled semi-solid metal slurry dropped through a guide member positioned at an angle such that the semi-solid metal slurry is uniformly distributed in a slurry storing container.

1 . A method for manufacturing a semi-solid metal slurry having a uniform spherical structure, comprising: 
 feeding molten metal into a furnace;    agitating the molten metal in the furnace by application of an electromagnetic field through an electromagnetic agitator to remove a temperature difference in the molten metal while suppressing growth of dendrites;    performing rapid cooling for removing a specific heat and latent heat of the molten metal emitted from the furnace in a cooling part to prevent oxidation of the molten metal in an inert atmosphere while preventing dendrites from being formed therein; and    storing the cooled semi-solid metal slurry dropped through a guide member positioned at an angle such that the semi-solid metal slurry is uniformly distributed in a slurry storing container.    
   
   
       2 . The method as set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 controlling an internal temperature of the molten metal using a temperature controller according to a temperature of the molten metal fed into the furnace and an atmospheric temperature in the furnace.    
   
   
       3 . An apparatus for manufacturing a semi-solid metal slurry having a uniform spherical structure, comprising: 
 a furnace formed of a refractory material and having a housing formed at an upper portion thereof such that molten metal is fed into and discharged from the housing;    an electromagnetic agitator for generating an electromagnetic field through application of electricity to an outside of the furnace;    a cooler for performing rapid cooling of the molten metal discharged from the furnace;    a guide member positioned at an angle such that cooled slurry is guided along the guide member to a supporting frame equipped below the cooler; and    a storing part equipped below the guide member for uniformly storing the slurry dropped along the guide member.    
   
   
       4 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 3 , further comprising: 
 a temperature controller provided in the furnace for controlling an internal temperature of the molten metal according to a temperature of the molten metal fed into the furnace and an atmospheric temperature in the furnace    
   
   
       5 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 4 , wherein the temperature controller comprises a temperature sensor, and a heating member for generating heat according to a signal from the temperature sensor.  
   
   
       6 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 3 , wherein the cooler comprises a space defined between an inner wall and an outer wall of the cooler such that a path is formed through the center of the cooler, and a supplying pipe formed at one side of the outer wall so as to be communicated with the space, the inner wall being formed with a plurality of injection holes communicated with the space.  
   
   
       7 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 3 , wherein the electromagnetic agitator is equipped to surround the outside of the furnace and the cooler.  
   
   
       8 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 3 , wherein the storing part comprises a slurry-storing container for containing the slurry dropped thereto, and a circulating member for circulating the slurry so that the slurry is uniformly stored within the slurry-storing container.  
   
   
       9 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 8 , wherein the circulating member circulates the slurry-storing container in a predetermined locus by means of an input program.  
   
   
       10 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 8 , wherein the slurry-storing container is formed of a ceramic material having a low thermal conductivity.