The Directional Solidification Process Optimization of Al-Ni-Co-Ti Alloys Based on the Numerical Simulation Technology

The ratio of the temperature gradient at solidification front to the solidification rate of solid-liquid interface plays a great role for columnar grain growth. Transient temperature fields of directional solidification of Al-Ni-Co-Ti alloys were studied based FEM. The effect of molten steel pouring temperature, heat flux and mould temperature on the ratio was analyzed. The results show that molten steel pouring temperature has an effect on the ratio greatly and the individual ratio soars up in the initial stage of solidification in all situations, when the solidification front reaches 5-6cm, the ratio plunges down rapidly and even tends to be closed to each other. The simulation result is consistent with the production reality.