In the continuous rheocasting process, a semi-solid alloy is obtained from the exit port of the apparatus at a given rate and with a given fraction solid. This fraction solid is dependent on the corresponding temperature within the solid-liquid range which should be controlled accurately by the process parameters for a given rheocaster stirring chamber.
For this purpose a heat flow model has been established for the continuous rheocasting of Bi-17wt%Sn alloy. The heat transfer calculations are based on the solution of the two-dimensional partial differential equations using a finite difference method. An excellent agreement between calculations and experimental results is found. Computations are carried out in order to find the influence of stirring chamber dimensions on the alloy exit temperature and therefore, the volume fraction solid. The influence of input metal temperature and metal flow rate on the exit temperature and volume fraction solid are also found.