Shrinkage-induced fluid flow and domain change in two-dimensional alloy solidification

Abstract

The fluid flow and domain change caused by shrinkage are analyzed for the solidification of alloys in a two-dimensional rectangular cavity with riser. The system of governing equations based on the modified continuum model is solved by the SIMPLEC algorithm, and the change of domain is handled by the front tracking method. The differences between the traditional study, i.e. without considering shrinkage effect, and the present study are presented. It is found that the shrinkage-induced fluid flow and domain change enhance convective heat transfer, and the global solidification time is smaller than that predicted without the shrinkage effect.