MULTIDIRECTIONAL SOLIDIFICATION MODEL FOR THE DESCRIPTION OF MICROPORE FORMATION IN SPRAY DEPOSITION PROCESSES

Abstract

This article describes a numerical investigation of micropore formation in solidifying molten metal droplets impinging on a colder substrate. The velocity field inside the spreading liquid droplet is computed as a solution of the incompressible Navier-Stokes equations, and a volume-of-fluid function is defined in order to track the location of the free surface. A multidirectional solidification model is implemented to simulate the formation of possible pores, cavities, and/or troughs. This tracking algorithm allows for complex interface morphology representation as well as interface merging simulation. In the test case considered (high-velocity impact of a single droplet), simulations predict the formation of an annular trough on the surface of the solidified splat. This feature may be a precursor of pore or cavity formation in multiple-droplet cases.

Notes

Address correspondence to Dr. R. H. Rangel, Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of California-Irvine, Irvine, CA 92717-3975, USA.