THERMAL BEHAVIOUR OF HOLLOW CASTINGS CAST IN CO2-SAND MOULDS BY USING FINITE ELEMENT METHOD TECHNIQUE

Abstract

Prediction of solidification time is one of the very important parameters used for assessing the properties of the material. Knowledge of solidification behavior of hollow cylindrical castings and the thermal behaviour of associated moulds and cores would be of immense value to a foundrymen in the production of sound castings. In the present study, experimental investigation is carried out to measure the solidification time in a cylindrical hallow casting cast in CO2-Sand moulds and the same has been compared with the Analysis made through finite element method Technique. Finite Element Analysis was carried out by using ANSYS FEM Package. Standard physical properties were taken from ASTM metal handbook. Latent heat evolution was incorporated by enthalpy method. The solidification problem for hollow cylindrical casting was assumed to be a 2-Dimensional transient Heat Conduction flow. Convective Heat losses were considered. Aluminum-4.5% copper alloy has been used. The results shows that the solidification time obtained by experimental study compares well with the one predicted by the analysis made with the help of FEM technique.