Numerical simulation of the temperature distribution in a continuous casting process for the production of AlSn(Cu) alloys

Abstract

The results of numerical simulations of the temperature distribution in a continuous casting process are presented. In a so-called 'belt-caster', a strip of AlSn(Cu) alloy is continuously pulled out of a basin containing the melt. The strip is led between two fibreglass belts which are in close contact with water-cooled copper plates. The simulation consisted of the following steps: (a) determination of the thermophysical properties of the alloys in the liquid state, in the solidification range, and in the solid state; (b) measurement of the spatial temperature distribution in the strip as a function of the strip velocity with thermocouples; (c) inverse simulation with the use of the results of (a) and (b) to determine the heat transfer coefficients between the strip and the surroundings including the fibreglass belt; and (d) direct simulation of the temperature distribution in the continuous casting device with the possible variation of casting parameters.