Numerical simulation on direct chilled continuous casting process for preparing clad slab of aluminium alloys

The numerical simulation is used to investigate the influence of processing parameters on direct chilled continuous casting process for preparing clad slab of Al–1Mn and Al–10Si alloys. In order to get a clear bonding interface avoiding unexpected mixing, a special dividing plate is set between molten clad materials. The effects of cooling intensity and cooled part height of dividing plate, casting speed and pouring temperature on the temperature field, liquid fraction, and solidification shell of clad slab have been studied in detail. A practical experiment has been done based on the simulation studies. It was found that a clad slab with excellent metallurgical bonding can be obtained when the cooling water flow of dividing plate is 250 L h−1, the cooled part height of dividing plate is 20 mm, the casting speed is 80 mm min−1 and the pouring temperatures of Al–1Mn and Al–10Si alloys are 710 and 670°C respectively.