A SOLIDIFICATION ANALYSIS ON CENTRIFUGAL CASTING OF METAL-MATRIX COMPOSITES CONTAINING GRAPHITE PARTICLES

One dimensional heat transfer analysis during centrifugal casting of a luminum-silicon base composite containing graphite particles has been studied. For this purpose, a finite difference technique has been adop ted. The results indicate that the thickness of the region in which di spersed graphite particles are segregated due to centrifugal force, is strongly influenced by speed of rotation of the mold. The thickness o f graphite rich region near the inner periphery decreases with increas e in speed thereby increasing the volume fraction of dispersion. The s olidification time of the casting is also dependent upon the speed of rotation of the mold, and it decreases with increase in speed. This st udy also indicates that the presence of particles increase the solidif ication time of the casting.