A FINITE-ELEMENT APPROACH FOR MODELING METAL FLOW AND PRESSURIZED SOLIDIFICATION IN THE SQUEEZE CASTING PROCESS

A finite element numerical modelling procedure for simulating combined flow and heat transfer in a squeeze casting process is developed where the flow model is based on simple mass conservation. The coincident node method is used to model the thermal interface with metal advancement over the relatively colder die surface. The effect of pressure on the solidus and liquidus temperatures is built in based on the Clausius-Clapeyron equation and the thermophysical properties of enthalpy and thermal conductivity are affected by this pressure. For the casting material concerned, the effect of pressure on thermophysical properties was found to be small, having only a marginal effect on the part solidification.