Three-dimensional finite element model for metal displacement and heat transfer in squeeze casting processes

A three-dimensional finite element model for the numerical simulation of metal displacement and heat transfer in the squeeze casting process has been developed. In the model, a numerical approach, termed as ‘Quasi-static Eulerian’, is proposed, in which the dynamic metal displacement process is divided into a certain number of sub-cycles. In each of the sub-cycles, the dieset configuration is assumed to be static and a fixed finite element mesh is created, thus making the Eulerian approach applicable to the solution of metal flow and heat transfer. Mesh-to-mesh data mapping is carried out for any two adjacent sub-cycles to ensure that the physical continuity of the real metal displacement process is represented. A numerical example is presented, which shows the application of the present model to geometrically complex three-dimensional squeeze casting problems. To cite this article: R.W. Lewis et al., C. R. Mecanique 335 (2007).