Solidification Processing of Metallic Materials in Static Magnetic Field: A Review

The application of a static magnetic field (SMF) to solidification processing has emerged as an advanced strategy for efficiently regulating the macro/micro structures and the mechanical performance of metallic materials. The SMF effects have been proved to be positive in various processes of metal solidification. Firstly, this review briefly introduces two basic magnetic effects, i.e., magnetohydrodynamic effects and magnetization effects, which play crucial roles in regulating metal solidification. Further, the state of the art of solidification processing in the SMF, including undercooling and nucleation, interface energy, grain coarsening and refinement, segregation and porosity, are comprehensively summarized. Finally, the perspective future of taking advantage of the SMF for regulating metal solidification is presented.