Numerical simulation of squeeze cast magnesium alloy AZ91D

A two-dimensional model has been developed to simulate heat transfer and solidification phenomena of squeeze cast magnesium alloy (AZ91D). The model was based on the control-volume finite-difference approach and on the enthalpy method. The computation was carried out to understand the effect of varying processing parameters, such as applied pressure and die temperatures, on the solidification and cooling behaviours of AZ91D. The model computed the temperature distributions, the cooling curves, the shape and position of the phase front and total solidification time of a cylindrical squeeze casting. The predicted results show that high applied pressures and low die temperatures result in a high heat transfer across the casting–die interface, and consequently solidification and cooling rates increase. The comparison indicates that the predicted results are in close agreement with the existing experimental data.