Solidification of SiC particulate-reinforced aluminum metal matrix composites

Solidification of SiC/Al particulate-reinforced composite was investigated as a function of volume fraction of particles using the finite element method. The mushy zone effect during solidification was taken into account in the model. Numerical results from the finite element analysis were compared with the analytical solutions using Neumann's method. Based on the study, it was found that numerical results for the unreinforced aluminum A357.0 overestimated solidification time as compared with the analytical solutions, which do not take the mushy zone effect into consideration. As compared with the unreinforced aluminum, composites have a lower solidification rate. Tn addition, at a lower volume fraction of particles, the effective thermal diffusivity of composite is the dominant factor in determining the solidification time, whereas at a higher volume fraction, the initial thermal energy of composite is the dominant factor.