Abstract
Based on analyses for the electromagnetic pressure on the melt and the heat induced in the melt, the ratio of heat to pressure Q0/Pm is defined, to give the relationship between Qo/Pm and the thickness a, the electromagnetic parameter (μγ) of the melt and the electric current frequency/under the electromagnetic confinement and shaping process. If Qo/Pm is large, any adjustment to the melt shape will easily cause a variation of the temperature in the melt. In this situation, there appears to be a more sensitive interaction between the shape and the temperature field and a more narrow adjustment range for the process. Experiments on thin plate samples with a cross-section of 6 mm × 18 mm are done with two kinds of induction coils. The results show that when a coil with a trumpet inside wall is used and the positions of the melt top and the S/L interface are properly selected, the melt periphery is nearly vertical and the temperature gradient ahead of the S/L interface is high. Under these conditions, a more stable and wider coupling between the shape and the temperature field is continuously maintained and samples with a smooth surface and unidirectional crystals are successfully obtained.