Simulation of thermal and solidification evolution of molten aluminum alloy and SiC nanoparticles for engineering practices

Abstract

2D numerical model is developed for semisolid casting of A356 alloy mixed with SiC nanoparticles. Throughout solidification the temperature falls from core to the surface. It may be attributed to comparatively higher cooling rate at surface than that of at core. Furthermore, the presence of temperature gradient between surface and core is only on account of finite thermal conductivity between the same. Additionally, the existence of specified temperature gradient may be because of finite handling time. In general, the existence of specified finite temperature gradient is definitely owing to Fourier heat transfer concerning infinite heat or thermal wave speed and frequency. In other words, the temperature gradient falls with rise in cooling/solidification time. However, the nature of simulation forecasts are unquestionably similar. Moreover, the variation of optimum temperature with cooling/solidification time is witnessed to be nearly linear. Furthermore, when quenched for 30, 60, 90 and 120 s, simulation forecasts of maximum flow region temperatures of the said semisolid cast part are 500, 450, 400 and 350 K, respectively.