STIMULATION AND EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION OF PARTICLE DISTRIBUTION IN STIR CASTING

Particle reinforced metal matrix composites are skilled to fulfill the needs of cutting edge designing applications because of its tunable mechanical properties. Stir casting is one of the unmistakable and affordable strategies for preparing particle reinforced metal matrix composites. Computational fluid dynamics simulation along with the optimization technique is one of the effectual combinations to guide experimental research. In this stir casting process, flow pattern is the important factor for the dispersion of particles in the liquid metal. However, a complete study of analyzing the flow pattern of the particle is a challenge for the research community. Effectual flow pattern and uniform distribution of particles can be attained by optimizing stir casting parameters such as volume concentration, blade angle, impeller position, viscosity and holding time. In this research, computational fluid dynamics has been used to find the vortex pressure which influences the particle distribution. With the help of results of CFD, the stir casting parameters are optimized using Taguchi method. Visualization experiments also help to choose the exact parameters that need to be optimized.