Open Access Conference Proceedings

Solidification process plays an important role in the production of metallic materials. Conditions of this process considerably determine mechanical properties of semi-finished products. Nowadays, metallurgists frequently utilize computational solidification models that enable the numerical investigation of solidification. Most of these tools are based on interface capturing methods, which are straightforward and quite easy for implementation. However, a main drawback of these methods is their accuracy in the determination of the moving interface separating the phases. The paper presents the front tracking method, which enables to overcome the mentioned issues. Pure aluminum, which solidifies at a constant temperature, is considered in the study. The front tracking method, the enthalpy method, the effective heat capacity method and the temperature recovery method are used for simulations. Results gained with the use of computational approaches are compared to an exact solution of a 1D Stefan problem. Conclusions of the study indicate that the front tracking method is a very accurate tool and has a potential for investigation of the microstructure.

Keywords: Front tracking, aluminum, Stefan problem, solidification, numerical modelling

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