Model of heat flow during crystallization of cast composites

Purpose: The aim of this work was to show possibilities of numerical simulation software, based on heat transfer model, commonly used in foundry industry in cast composite properties engineering. Design/methodology/approach: The main restriction in most of used software systems is lack of heat transfer, which may occur at composite creation. In this work the reinforcing particle morphology an size were expressed by one quantity - morphological modulus Mm and were examined for influence on heat transfer and conductivity up to the Newton's and Fourier's laws. Findings: The main restrictions for using Fourier's model based software for composite engineering are shown. The way for crystallization control was presented including influence of morphology, transition zone and thermo-physical properties of components. Research limitations/implications: Proposed methodology can be used for cast composite properties engineering in cases, where relative motion of components is negligible. In other cases heat transfer coefficient is justified only if the software used is based on Fourier's model and the source code is accessible. Originality/value: Proposed assumptions create possibility for components selection verification in terms of technological and operating properties of cast composite. An example of such approach was shown in work.