When a metal matrix composite undergoes centrifugal casting, the velocity, deceleration, displacement, and segregation of its particles are modeled according to changes in the centrifugal radius, as well as by variations in the molten metal viscosity as the temperature decreases during the cooling process. A cast aluminum alloy A356 reinforced by 10 V% of silicon carbide particles (SiC), with a median diameter of 12 μm, was used to conduct the experiments, and a mathematical modeling showed that the particles’ volume fraction on the outer casting face varied according to whether the viscosity of the liquid metal used was constant or variable. If variations in viscosity during the cooling process are taken into account, then the volume fraction of the particles for a given time of centrifugation changes on the outer casting face, while it increases if the viscosity was constant. Modeling the particle segregation with variable viscosity produces results that are closer to those obtained with experiments than is the case when a constant viscosity is used. In fact, the higher the initial pouring and mold temperatures, the higher the effect of the viscosity variation on particle segregation.
展开▼
