Direct Numerical Study of a Molten Metal Drop Solidifying on a Cold Plate with Different Wettability

• Main Authors: Truong V. Vu, Cuong T. Nguyen, Duong T. Khanh
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2018-01-01
• Series: Metals
• Subjects: molten metal drop; direct numerical simulation; cold plate; contact angle; front-tracking
• Online Access: http://www.mdpi.com/2075-4701/8/1/47

This paper presents a direct numerical simulation of solidification of a molten metal drop on a cold plate with various wettability by an axisymmetric front-tracking method. Because of the plate kept at a temperature below the fusion value of the melt, a thin solid layer forms at the plate and evolves upwards. The numerical results show that the solidifying front is almost flat except near the triple point with a high solidification rate at the beginning and final stages of solidification. Two solid-to-liquid density ratios ρsl = 0.9 (volume change) and 1.0 (no change in volume), with two growth angles φ0 = 0° and 12° are considered. The presence of volume change and a non-zero growth angle results in a solidified drop with a conical shape at the top. The focusing issue is the effects of the wettability of the plate in terms of the contact angle φ0. Increasing the contact angle in the range of 45° to 120° increases time for completing solidification, i.e., solidification time. However, it has a minor effect on the conical angle at the top of the solidified drop and the difference between the initial liquid and final solidified heights of the drop. The effects of the density ratio and growth angle are also presented.