Transient Heat Transfer Analysis of Alloy Solidification

Approximate solutions are obtained for the temperature distribution and rate of phase change for the transient one-dimensional solidification of a finite slab of a binary alloy. The alloy is selected to avoid the eutectic composition so that solidification takes place over a range of temperatures. The slab is initially superheated and has a uniform temperature distribution. Solidification occurs after one surface is cooled by convection while the other surface is insulated. Temperature distributions are determined analytically and experimentally and are in reasonably good agreement.