Numerical modeling of the solidification process with consideration of shrinkage cavities formation and the influence of solid phase content on the feeding of the casting

The paper focuses on the numerical modeling of the three-dimensional solidification process of steel using the finite element method (FEM). The model includes and discusses the formation of shrinkage cavities and the influence of the solid phase content on the feeding of the casting through the riser. The analysis assumed a critical value of the solid phase content, at which the transport of liquid phase from the riser to the casting is interrupted. The results of numerical simulation are presented to investigate the influence of this factor on the final quality of the casting. The model neglects the fluid motion in the liquid and solid-liquid regions and replaces the influence of the mold with appropriate boundary conditions.