Computer-Aided Cooling Curve Used to Predict the Solidification Behavior of Cast Iron

During solidification, the cooling behaviour of materials depends on the heat flow through the mould and the alloy composition. Even though the alloy composition is same; the cooling rate can change the properties of the materials. In the present study, an attempt has been taken to predict the cooling behaviour of gray cast iron into a resin bonded sand mould at various thicknesses using JL FEM analyser software. Using K-type thermocouple, the temperature was measured after every 20 sec. Both, the computer simulated and experimentally investigated cooling curves show the similar nature or pattern of the curves. The microstructure also confirms that the cooling rate changes the structure of the cast iron from gray to white.