Papers by Author: Primož Mrvar

Abstract: Paper deals with influence of cooling rate and alloying elements on kinetics of eutectoid transformation in spheroidal graphite cast iron (SGI). Transformation of austenite can proceed into ferrite and graphite (FeFeG) and/or in pearlite (Fe  FeFe3C). Examination of eutectoid transformation was made by evaluating the “in-situ” dilatation curves together with metallographic examinations, DTA, and dilatation analyses in solid state. ThermoCalc software was applied for thermodynamic calculations of phase equilibria. Based on numerous quantitative relations, such as relation between fractions of ferrite and pearlite in the as-cast SGI that was determined by analysis of dilatometric curves and taking into account also composition of melt, ferrite/pearlite ratio in the microstructure could be determined in a very short time. Thus the melt composition could be corrected by adding Cu and/or Mn or Si, respectively, using the "in situ" dilatation analyses. Characteristic temperatures of eutectoid transformation have been established from the kinetics of austenite transformation and from temperature dependence of ferrite and/or pearlite growth. Kinetics curves that enable to determine fractions of single microstructure constituents in the microstructure as function of transformation time, mainly used for ferrite and pearlite SGI, can be well determined with physical sigmoidal Boltzmann model.

Abstract: Multi-crystalline silicon ingot casting using directional crystallisation is the most costeffective technique for the production of Si for the photovoltaic industry. Non-uniform cooling conditions and a non-planarity of the solidification front result, however, in the build-up of stresses and viscoplastic deformation. Known defects, such as dislocations and residual stresses, can then occur and reduce the quality of the produced material. Numerical simulation, combined with experimental investigation, is therefore a key tool for understanding the crystallisation process, and optimizing it. The purpose of the present work is to present an experimental furnace for directional crystallisation of silicon, and its analysis by means of numerical simulation. The complete casting procedure, i.e., including both the crystallisation phase and the subsequent ingot cooling, is simulated. The thermal field has been computed by a CFD tool, taking into account important phenomena such as radiation and convection in the melt. The transient thermal field is used as input for a thermo-elasto-viscoplastic model for the analysis of stress build-up and viscoplastic deformation during the process. Numerical analysis is employed to identify process phases where further optimisation is needed in order to reduce generated defects.

Abstract: The eutectoid transformation of the spheroidal graphite cast iron (S.G.I.) has been investigated with “in situ” dilatometer, which was made for the investigation of the cast iron alloys. The investigation of the eutectoid transformation has been taking place by evaluation of the “insitu” dilatation curves in connection with metallographic examinations, chemical analyses and thermodynamic calculations of the phase equilibriums. By dilatometric curves it is possible to follow the exact eutectoid transformation of austenite. On a basis of numerous quantitative relations, as the relation between the ferrite and pearlite fractions in the as-cast SGI, which was determined by the analysis of the dilatometric curves and the composition, the ratio between ferrite and pearlite in the microstructure could be determined in a very short time. From the kinetics of austenite transformation and temperature dependence of the ferrite or pearlite growth the following characteristic temperatures of the eutectoid transformation have been established: the ferrite nucleation o Tα , the beginning of the ferrite growth Tα , and pearlite growth Tp , respectively. Kinetic curves, which show the fraction of the single microstructure constituents in the microstructure in dependence of the transformation time for mainly ferrite SGI, are good represented by the physical sigmoidal Boltzmann model.