MODELLING OF THE CRYSTALLIZATION FRONT – PARTICLES INTERACTIONS IN ZnAl/(SiC)p COMPOSITES

M. Szucki, D. Kalisz, J. Lelito, P. L. Żak, J. S. Suchy, K. W. Krajewski, AGH University of Science and Technology, Faculty of Foundry Engineering, Kraków, Poland The presented work focuses on solid particle interactions with the moving crystallization front during a solidification of the metal matrix composite. The current analyses were made for silicon carbide particles and ZnAl alloy with different additions of aluminium. It was found, that the chemical composition of the metal matrix influences the behaviour of SiC particles. At the same time calculations of the forces acting on a single particle near the crystallization front were performed. For each alloy type the critical conditions that determine whether particle will be absorbed or pushed, were specified.