Modeling solidification and mushy zone deformation of alloys

The deformation of the partially solidified strand during near net shape continuous casting of thin slabs is only one example of a technologically important process where a mushy zone is mechanically altered in order to achieve improved grain structures and homogeneity. However, the phenomena occurring during plastic deformation of a solidifying mush are poorly understood, have not been observed directly, and have not been modeled in detail. A mathematical model that predicts the temperature and solid fraction profiles, liquid concentration evolution, and solid phase displacement during the deformation of a solidifying mush is presented. This model is derived considering a two-dimensional case, the volume averaging method, the enthalpy technique, and a coordinate transformation to avoid a changing mesh in a numerical solution. The numerical results are found to match the experimental behavior of metallic alloys during solidification with or without deformation.