Numerical modelling of phase change and heat transfer during rapid solidification processes: use of control volume integrals with element subdivision

An effective interface-tracking scheme has been developed for the numerical modelling of heat transfer and phase change during rapid solidification. This technique is based on Control Volume Integrals, and achieves high-resolution tracking of the solid/liquid interface by element subdivision. It is particularly well-suited for rapid solidification with undercooling, for which the accurate prediction of the interface temperature during recalescence is very important. This approach has been used to model the Planar Flow Casting and Splat Cooling processes. Some results on temperature profiles and on interface velocity, location, undercooling, and cooling rate are shown for both processes.