Mathematical Modeling of Solidification Microstructure of Pure Copper by Vacuum Continuous Casting and Its Experimental Verification

摘要

The purpose of this study is to predict the solidification microstructure of pure copper rod by vacuum continuous casting (VCC) process and verify its accuracy by experimental observation. This study was extended from previous study (using 2D-CA model). A three dimensional cellular automaton (3D-CA) model and the finite difference method were utilized to simulate the macro-temperature field, nucleation, and grain growth of a pure copper rod based on the actual casting operations. The simulated solidification microstructures obtained from the 3D-CA model were found in good agreement with the results of actual casting experiments. Both numerical simulations and experimental observations show that the microstructure of a copper rod changes with casting speed and that the S/L interface moves closer to the orifice of the mould with increasing drawing speed.