Solidification process of high-speed tool steel based on axial self-rotation of electroslag mold
摘要
Based on a self-developed mold axial self-rotation bifilar electroslag remelting system, the regulatory mechanisms of mold axial rotation on the solidification quality of M2 high-speed steel ingots were systematically investigated. Through comprehensive metallographic microscopy, metal original position analysis, and numerical simulation, the relationships between axial self-rotation rate and secondary dendrite morphology evolution and elemental segregation characteristics were revealed. The results demonstrated that axial self-rotation of mold significantly improves the metallurgical performance of the electroslag remelting process by enhancing heat transfer, but its effectiveness exhibits a nonlinear variation pattern with axial self-rotation rate. Increasing axial self-rotation rate effectively reduces metal pool depth and refines secondary dendritic structures (exhibiting a 18.18% decrease in dendritic arm spacing at 19 r/min compared to static conditions). However, exceeding the 13 r/min threshold induces qualitative transformation in melt flow patterns: below 13 r/min, mechanical stirring predominates in homogenizing slag pool temperature field, promoting uniform element distribution and enhancing compactness. At higher rotation rate (19 r/min), turbulent sorting effects destabilize solidification fronts, triggering dendrite fragmentation and localized solute aggregation that exacerbate elemental segregation while reducing compactness.