ANALYSIS OF HEAT TRANSFER AND SOLIDIFICATION CHARACTERISTICS OF Al-4.5Cu IN A TOP-SIDE POURING HIGH-SPEED TWIN-ROLL STRIP CASTER

Numerical modeling of heat transfer and solidification during twin-roll strip casting involves fluid flow, heat transfer, and phase change in the liquid metals. Heat flux at the solid-metal/roll surface should also be considered since solidification of the liquid metal occurs on the roll surface. In the present investigation, a comprehensive three-dimensional model of top-side pouring high-speed twin-roll strip casting of Al-4.5 wt.% Cu alloy has been developed. ANSYS 13.0 was used to model fluid flow, heat transfer, and solidification behavior during the top-side pouring of liquid Al-4.5 wt.% Cu alloy in a twin-roll strip caster and validated with experiment by measuring the cooling rate and dendritic arm spacing. From the simulation results it is found that the solidification was completed before the roll nip position and strong recirculation of the liquid metal occurs in the molten pool region. With increase in the nozzle diameter, the solidification end point exits towards the roll nip.