A method and apparatus for electromagnetic stirring of molten metals at an
advanced stage of solidification, as may be used in continuous casting of
steel billets and blooms, are disclosed. At least first and second
stirrers are provided for generating first and second rotating magnetic
fields of a differing frequency about an axis of solidifying molten
metal. The stirrers are arranged about the molten metal in sufficiently
close proximity to each other so that their respective magnetic fields
superpose to produce a modulated magnetic field. The magnetic fields of
the respective stirrers may either have common or opposing rotational
directions. The modulated stirring produced by the magnetic fields
results in oscillating primary and secondary flows and hence turbulence
within the melt bulk in the region wherein temperature of the melt on its
central axis is below the liquidus level and at least 10% of
substantially solidified material is formed. Turbulent flow created by
this stirring method disrupts formation of crystalline structures in the
melt bulk and mixes solute enriched melt of the central region with the
bulk volume which subsequently results in improvements of the
solidification structure and overall internal quality of the cast
products.