The present invention relates to methods of enhancing the surface properties of soft alloys by using a high energy beam. In particular embodiments, the methods can also allow for beam-based welding of such soft alloys to another metal component.

Systems and methods for altering microstructures of materials are disclosed. The system may include at least one computing device in communication with a heating device and an electromagnetic device. The computing device(s) may be configured to alter a microstructure of a material forming a component by performing processes including heating the component using the heating device to a predetermined temperature. The predetermined temperature may be below a first phase-transformation temperature based on the material forming the component, and a second phase-transformation temperature based on the material forming the component, where the second phase-transformation temperature greater than the first phase-transformation temperature. The computing device(s) may also perform processes including intermittently magnetizing the heated component using the electromagnetic device for a predetermined number of cycles, and cooling the component after intermittently magnetizing the heated component.

Systems and methods for altering microstructures of materials are disclosed. The system may include at least one computing device in communication with a heating device and an electromagnetic device. The computing device(s) may be configured to alter a microstructure of a material forming a component by performing processes including heating the component using the heating device to a predetermined temperature. The predetermined temperature may be below a first phase-transformation temperature based on the material forming the component, and a second phase-transformation temperature based on the material forming the component, where the second phase-transformation temperature greater than the first phase-transformation temperature. The computing device(s) may also perform processes including intermittently magnetizing the heated component using the electromagnetic device for a predetermined number of cycles, and cooling the component after intermittently magnetizing the heated component.

A molten metal processing device including an assembly mounted on the casting wheel, including at least one vibrational energy source which supplies vibrational energy to molten metal cast in the casting wheel while the molten metal in the casting wheel is cooled, and a support device holding the vibrational energy source. An associated method for forming a metal product which provides molten metal into a containment structure included as a part of a casting mill, cools the molten metal in the containment structure, and couples vibrational energy into the molten metal in the containment structure.

A molten metal processing device including an assembly mounted on the casting wheel, including at least one vibrational energy source which supplies vibrational energy to molten metal cast in the casting wheel while the molten metal in the casting wheel is cooled, and a support device holding the vibrational energy source. An associated method for forming a metal product which provides molten metal into a containment structure included as a part of a casting mill, cools the molten metal in the containment structure, and couples vibrational energy into the molten metal in the containment structure.

A molten metal processing device including an assembly mounted on the casting wheel, including at least one vibrational energy source which supplies vibrational energy to molten metal cast in the casting wheel while the molten metal in the casting wheel is cooled, and a support device holding the vibrational energy source. An associated method for forming a metal product which provides molten metal into a containment structure included as a part of a casting mill, cools the molten metal in the containment structure, and couples vibrational energy into the molten metal in the containment structure.

A molten metal processing device including an assembly mounted on the casting wheel, including at least one vibrational energy source which supplies vibrational energy to molten metal cast in the casting wheel while the molten metal in the casting wheel is cooled, and a support device holding the vibrational energy source. An associated method for forming a metal product which provides molten metal into a containment structure included as a part of a casting mill, cools the molten metal in the containment structure, and couples vibrational energy into the molten metal in the containment structure.

Provided is a titanium cast product for hot rolling made of commercial pure titanium or a titanium alloy, the titanium cast product including, in a surface serving as a rolling surface, a fine structure layer that is formed of an acicular structure formed in the outermost surface by melting and re-solidification treatment and that has a thickness of more than or equal to 5 mm and less than 9 mm in depth. In the titanium cast product for hot rolling according to the present invention, the surface is flat, the number of minute voids in the interior immediately below the surface is small, and the outermost surface has a significantly fine structure. When the titanium cast product is subjected to hot rolling, the occurrence of concavities on the surface in the early stage of hot rolling and the occurrence of surface defects on the hot rolled sheet can be stably prevented at a practical level.

Provided is a titanium cast product for hot rolling made of commercial pure titanium or a titanium alloy, the titanium cast product including, in a surface serving as a rolling surface, a fine structure layer that is formed of an acicular structure formed in the outermost surface by melting and re-solidification treatment and that has a thickness of more than or equal to 5 mm and less than 9 mm in depth. In the titanium cast product for hot rolling according to the present invention, the surface is flat, the number of minute voids in the interior immediately below the surface is small, and the outermost surface has a significantly fine structure. When the titanium cast product is subjected to hot rolling, the occurrence of concavities on the surface in the early stage of hot rolling and the occurrence of surface defects on the hot rolled sheet can be stably prevented at a practical level.

A method and apparatus are described for creation of amorphous metals using electromagnetic supercooling of a metal/alloy without the utilization of rapid quenching or immaculate process environments. By exposing the cooling melt to electric currents, either induced by an alternating current (AC) magnetic field or supplied directly, crystallization is suppressed, and the melt can reach significant levels of supercooling. With sufficient current densities in the melt, the supercooling can extend all the way into the glass transition range for certain materials, at which point an amorphous metal/alloy is created.