Short Freezing Range Alloys
We will now consider the fluidity of short freezing range metals and alloys
(Figure 3205.00.04). This shows the mode of solidification from the outside walls in
towards the centre as the metal proceeds along the mould. A point to notice is the
remelting of the part of the frozen solid nearest the source of hot metal. For this reason
the solidified zone migrates progressively along the mould, trailing behind the liquid tip.
However, the important point to be noted is that the flow of metal is stopped when the
two freezing fronts meet (although this point is some distance back from the flow tip).
This corresponds to 100 % solidification at this point.
We can therefore write down a formula for fluidity in terms of the solidification time tS,
the velocity of flow V, and the fluidity distance Lf. Assuming that V is approximately
constant, we have simply