Systems and methods are disclosed for using magnetic fields (e.g., changing magnetic fields) to control metal flow conditions during casting (e.g., casting of an ingot, billet, or slab). The magnetic fields can be introduced using rotating permanent magnets or electromagnets. The magnetic fields can be used to induce movement of the molten metal in a desired direction, such as in a rotating pattern around the surface of the molten sump. The magnetic fields can be used to induce metal flow conditions in the molten sump to increase homogeneity in the molten sump and resultant ingot.

A polarizer, a manufacturing method thereof and a display device are provided. The method includes forming an alignment layer on a carrier substrate and forming grooves on the alignment layer; providing liquid metal in the grooves, in which the liquid metal includes a plurality of liquid metal structures; applying an electric field parallel to the lengthwise direction x of the groove to the liquid metal to allow each liquid metal structure to be stretched along the lengthwise direction x of the groove to form a rod-like structure and the major-axis direction of each liquid metal structure is parallel to the lengthwise direction x of the groove; obtaining the liquid metal by curing the liquid metal; and stripping off the polarizer from the carrier substrate.

A polarizer, a manufacturing method thereof and a display device are provided. The method includes forming an alignment layer on a carrier substrate and forming grooves on the alignment layer; providing liquid metal in the grooves, in which the liquid metal includes a plurality of liquid metal structures; applying an electric field parallel to the lengthwise direction x of the groove to the liquid metal to allow each liquid metal structure to be stretched along the lengthwise direction x of the groove to form a rod-like structure and the major-axis direction of each liquid metal structure is parallel to the lengthwise direction x of the groove; obtaining the liquid metal by curing the liquid metal; and stripping off the polarizer from the carrier substrate.

A method of fabricating a low alloy steel ingot, the method including a) melting all or part of an electrode by a vacuum arc remelting method, the electrode, before melting, including iron and carbon, the melted portion of the electrode being collected in a crucible, thus forming a melt pool within the crucible; and b) solidifying the melt pool by heat exchange between the melt pool and a cooling fluid, the heat exchange applied serving to impose a mean solidification speed during step b) that is less than or equal to 45 m/s and to obtain an ingot of low alloy steel.

A method of fabricating a low alloy steel ingot, the method including a) melting all or part of an electrode by a vacuum arc remelting method, the electrode, before melting, including iron and carbon, the melted portion of the electrode being collected in a crucible, thus forming a melt pool within the crucible; and b) solidifying the melt pool by heat exchange between the melt pool and a cooling fluid, the heat exchange applied serving to impose a mean solidification speed during step b) that is less than or equal to 45 m/s and to obtain an ingot of low alloy steel.

Apparatus and methods for stirring a molten metal are provided. The apparatus comprising: two or more discrete units, each unit including a core (7), the core (7) being provided with two or more teeth (5, 13, 17), the core (7) being provided with at least one electrically conducting coils (3, 15,19); in use, mounting a first discrete unit in proximity to the container (23) at a first location; in use, mounting a second discrete unit in proximity to the container (23) at a second location; electrical connections between the two or more discrete units and a common control unit, thereby providing an electromagnetic stirrer. The apparatus format allows the discrete units to be position between different pairs of elements or parts of furnaces and the like to allow retrofitting of electromagnetic stirring where access is restricted.

Apparatus and methods for stirring a molten metal are provided. The apparatus comprising: two or more discrete units, each unit including a core (7), the core (7) being provided with two or more teeth (5, 13, 17), the core (7) being provided with at least one electrically conducting coils (3, 15,19); in use, mounting a first discrete unit in proximity to the container (23) at a first location; in use, mounting a second discrete unit in proximity to the container (23) at a second location; electrical connections between the two or more discrete units and a common control unit, thereby providing an electromagnetic stirrer. The apparatus format allows the discrete units to be position between different pairs of elements or parts of furnaces and the like to allow retrofitting of electromagnetic stirring where access is restricted.

An aluminum alloy plate includes peritectic elements and Mg. Wherein plate thickness of the plate is represented as t (mm), a range within 0.01t from t/2 is represented as a central portion, a range within 0.01t from t/4 is represented as a quarter portion, and a range within 0.02t from a top surface in the plate thickness direction is represented as a superficial portion, concentration of the peritectic elements is such that a concentration difference between in the central portion and in the quarter portion, and a concentration difference between in the central portion and in the superficial portion are 0.04% (mass %) or less. In addition, concentration of the Mg is such that a concentration difference between in the central portion and in the quarter portion, and a concentration difference between in the central portion and in the superficial portion of the plate thickness are 0.4% or less.

Techniques are disclosed concerning applied magnetic field synthesis and processing of iron nitride magnetic materials. Some methods concern casting a material including iron in the presence of an applied magnetic field to form a workpiece including at least one iron-based phase domain including uniaxial magnetic anisotropy, wherein the applied magnetic field has a strength of at least about 0.01 Tesla (T). Also disclosed are workpieces made by such methods, apparatus for making such workpieces and bulk materials made by such methods.

Techniques are disclosed concerning applied magnetic field synthesis and processing of iron nitride magnetic materials. Some methods concern casting a material including iron in the presence of an applied magnetic field to form a workpiece including at least one iron-based phase domain including uniaxial magnetic anisotropy, wherein the applied magnetic field has a strength of at least about 0.01 Tesla (T). Also disclosed are workpieces made by such methods, apparatus for making such workpieces and bulk materials made by such methods.