Numerical Model of SiC Particle Interaction with Solidification Front in AZ91/(SiCp) Composite

Presented work focused on the movement of SiC particles in the vicinity of the solidification front in AZ91/(SiC)_p composite. Authors describe the mathematical model that governs this phenomenon. On the base of following numerical model own computer program was prepared. The behavior of a particle moving parallel to the solidification front was analyzed. Three variants of local velocity gradient of liquid metallic phase were analyzed for a particle of radius 10, 50 and 100 μm. At a bigger velocity gradient the SiC particle was observed to go down quicker and to move towards the solidification front. This effect was stronger for SiC particles, which had a bigger radius, i.e. 100 and 50 μm.