Interfacial heat transfer between a solidifying aluminium alloy and a coated die steel

The nature of the interface between a casting and a chill is known to have important implications for interfacial heat transfer. The effect of various parameters, including casting alloy, chill material and chill temperature have been investigated and shown to affect the casting surface roughness and profile. Measurements of the heat transfer coefficient between unidirectionally solidified Al-13wt%Si alloys and coated die steels have been conducted. The heat transfer coefficient was observed to increase with die temperature, and this was interpreted as being due to a change in the characteristics of the interface between the casting and the coating.