Heat Transfer Analysis during External Chilling of Composite Material Castings through Experimental and Finite Element (FE) Modelling

Abstract

In controlled solidification, one of the important factors that affects heat transfer from the solidifying casting is the resistance offered at the casting/chill interface. In the present investigation, heat transfer analysis during solidification of Al-12%Si (LM 13) alloy is carried out by collecting temperature history of the solidifying casting. The temperature distribution during solidification in the present investigation is obtained using ANSYS multiphysics software and further for comparison. The temperature profiles are also obtained by FE (Finite Element) modelling using the same software. By using a temperature data logger and lab view based software, the temperature data is acquired and processed at every second. The cooling curves obtained are analysed to know the effect of chilling on solidification behaviour of Al-12%Si alloy castings. Finally, it is concluded from the above research that the cooling curves and temperature distribution obtained by FE analysis do not so closely converge with the experimental data due to modelling limitations.