Computer simulation of the heat transfer during electron beam melting and refining

A computer model and software for simulation of electron beam melting are developed. A two-dimensional modeling is done, for an ingot, casted in a cylindrical copper water-cooled crucible. Melting of copper, titanium and aluminum were simulated. The pouring of the molten material increases the energy input and the depth of the molten pool. In the case of titanium, due to the molten metal stirring an assumption for limitation of upper surface ingot temperatures was done. The important role of the temperature distribution, near to cooled crucible wall contact zone, in the process of thermal balance is discussed. Some qualitative conclusions for non-steady thermal transfer in this zone are made. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.