Macroscopic modeling of solidification processes by performing the generalized enthalpy method

The generalized enthalpy method is a single domain method to describe heat and mass transport without the necessity to take the phase distribution or phase boundaries into account [A. Mackenbrock, K.-H. Tacke, Metall. Mater. Trans. B 26B (1996) 871–881]. Here, the temperature T is an independent parameter. The important quantity is the enthalpy H, which is used to calculate the energy flow. Hence, it is possible to simulate macroscopic multi-phase systems with reduced computational effort. Calculations were carried out, describing solidification and microstructure formation during continuous casting of peritectic steel grades. The binary Ti–Al system with its numerous intermetallic phases is modeled to describe solidification and phase formation at heterogenous laser welded interfaces.