Abstract
The method of simulating cooling curves for solidifying alloys is examined. Usually, a simulation program only results in a curve showing the fraction solidified material as a function of temperature. In order to predict the cooling curve, i.e. temperature as a function of time, it is necessary to use a simulation program that also evaluates the changes of enthalpy during solidification and takes into account the possible variation of the rate of heat extraction with temperature or with a temperature difference between a crucible and a furnace. By comparing predicted cooling curves obtained in that way with experiments it was investigated how to take into account the heat capacity of the crucible. Two simulation programs were used; one based on the Gulliver-Scheil approximations and the other taking back diffusion into account, using a finite difference technique. In both cases the enthalpy was evaluated continuously during cooling.
