Numerical simulation of solidification for aluminum-base multicomponent alloy

Solidification simulation of an aluminum-base multicomponent alloy was carr ied out by a method combining thermodynamic analysis using Thermo-Calc and heat-transfer calculation. An Al-9.5% Si-3% Cu-1% Mg-0.8% Fe (all mass%) al uminum-base multicomponent alloy was used for the simulation. The effect of latent heat on the heat-transfer calculation was considered by using an en thalpy method. The temperature-enthalpy curves for both an equilibrium stat e and nonequilibrium state with assumptions of no diffusion in the solid we re calculated by using Thermo-Calc. A small casting with a cylindrical shap e was used for the heat-transfer simulation. The vertical cross section of the casting was divided into rectangular grids, and the enthalpy change of each grid was numerically calculated. The calculated enthalpies in the grid s were converted for each time-step into temperatures by using the temperat ure-enthalpy curve. A casting experiment was carried out under the same con ditions as those of the simulation, and the calculated cooling curves obtai ned under the nonequilibrium condition agreed with the experimental ones.