NUMERICAL-SIMULATION OF FLUID-FLOW IN ELECTROMAGNETIC CENTRIFUGAL CASTING

A two-dimensional model is presented to compute the steady-state flow of an Al melt in centrifugal casting with electromagnetic stirring. Th e distributions of Bow velocity, body forces and pressure were studied by means of numerical simulations. It was found that the tangential f low was strongest near the mold/melt interface, while the radial flow velocity increased with a decrease in the distance to the interface. T he azimuthal distributions showed angle-dependent fluctuations. The fl ows were dramatically influenced by the rotation rate of the mold and the intensity of the imposed magnetic field. The distributions and var iations of melt flow were related to the body forces discussed in the present paper. The existence and increase in magnetic field caused a d ecrease in the pressure in the bulk melt; this problem in practical ca sting might be solved by increasing the rotation rate of the mold.