Prediction of phase segregation during mold filling of semi-solid slurries

Phase segregation during the mold filling of semi-solid slurry (Sn-15%Pb) is numerically investigated under non-isothermal conditions. The effects of operating parameters on the phase segregation including inlet velocity, initial solid fraction, heat transfer rate, mold geometry are considered. The semi-solid slurry is considered a non-Newtonian fluid below a critical solid fraction (fcr) and a viscoplastic medium saturated with liquid phase above the critical solid fraction. A group of particles are introduced at the mold inlet and phase segregation is studied by following the trajectories of these particles. The sharp property change at the slurry air interface is resolved with Van Leer numerical method. It is found that phase segregation is significantly affected by processing parameter. The segregation decreases with high inlet velocity, low heat transfer rate from the mold wall and cylindrical mold geometry.