Effects of Manufacturing Parameters in Planar Flow Casting Process on Ribbon Formation and Puddle Evolution of Fe–Si–B Alloy

Abstract

The effects of manufacturing parameters in the planar flow casting process on the ribbon formation and the puddle stability of Fe₇₈Si₉B₁₃ alloy are investigated experimentally. The ribbon morphology, surface quality, and puddle geometry are examined at different conditions and the transient evolution processes of puddle for molten metal passing through a rectangular nozzle are observed. The successful operability window for the production of Fe₇₈Si₉B₁₃ ribbon is established and it is found the scope is different from that of Al-based alloy. The trend lines of the alloys on the plane of Reynolds number versus Weber number corresponding to obtain a successful ribbon are established. The ribbon thickness is found to vary with the applied pressure across the crucible and the wheel speed to the power of 0.45 and −0.9, respectively. The formation of small air pockets could be enhanced by increasing the applied pressure difference and wheel speed, or by decreasing the nozzle-wheel gap and the jetting temperature.