On the use of heterogeneous thermomechanical and thermophysical material properties in finite element analyses of cast components

Abstract

Cast components generally show a heterogeneous distribution of material properties, caused by variations in the microstructure that forms during solidification. Variations caused by the casting process are not commonly considered in structural analyses, which might result in manufacturing of sub-optimised components with unexpected in-use behaviour. In this paper, we present a methodology which can be used to consider both thermomechanical and thermophysical variations using finite element analyses in cast components. The methodology is based on process simulations including microstructure modelling and correlations between microstructural features and material properties. Local material data are generated from the process simulation results, which are integrated into subsequent structural analyses. In order to demonstrate the methodology, it is applied to a cast iron cylinder head. The heterogeneous distribution of material properties in this component is investigated using experimental methods, demonstrating local variations in both mechanical and physical behaviour. In addition, the strength-differential effect on tensile and compressive behaviour of cast iron is considered in the modelling. The integrated simulation methodology presented in this work is relevant to both design engineers, production engineers as well as material scientists, in order to study and better understand how local variations in microstructure might influence the performance and behaviour of cast components under in-use conditions.