Measurement of the thermophysical properties of an aluminium - silicon casting alloy in the solid and molten regions

The thermal diffusivity (double right arrow thermal conductivity), specific heat and heat of fusion, solidus and liquidus temperatures, and volumetric expansion (double right arrow bulk density) were measured for an aluminium-silicon casting alloy. The measurements were conducted as a function of temperature in the solid, molten, and 'mushy' regions. The data show the expected decrease in the thermal conductivity and bulk density upon melting. In addition, the comdex behaviour of the material in the mushy zone was explained, in part, by cross-correlation of the data.