Modeling for prediction of casting structure by coupling phase-field method with cellular automaton method

A new simulation model for the evolution of macrostructures for Al-base multi-component alloys during solidification has been developed. In this model, the cellular automaton method was coupled with the phase-field method (PF-CA model). The growth kinetics of a dendrite tip for a multi-component alloy was evaluated by phase-field calculations. The obtained growth kinetics of a dendrite tip was applied to the cellular automaton model instead of the commonly used KGT model. In the heat transfer calculation for multi-component alloys, the enthalpy method was used to include alloy properties such as the value of latent heat per unit mass, liquidus and solidus temperature etc. The developed model was used for the simulation of the evolution of macrostructures for Al-base multi-component commercial alloys. The simulation could produce macrostructures similar to experimentally observed macrostructures.