A thermomechanical model with microstructure evolution for aluminium alloy casting processes

A thermomechanical-microstructural model for the analysis of aluminium alloy solidification processes is presented. This model is defined in a finite strain thermoplasticity framework considering microstructure-based liquid–solid phase-change effects for the solidifying alloy. Temperatures, displacements and microstructure results predicted by the model are validated with laboratory measurements of a gravity casting in a permanent composite mould.