This project is aimed at determining the heat transfer resistance which develops due to formation of an air gap between the mold surface and the solidifying metal as a cast metal begins to cool. The thermal stresses due to the contraction and their relaxation due to creep will be modeled, as will the heat transfer due to conduction between contacting surfaces or through thin lubricating films, partial conduction through contacting asperities , and radiation across the air gap. The model studies will be coupled closely with experimental work performed in collaboration with industrial researchers at an industrial test laboratory.
