metallfluss

Metallfluss refers to the flow behavior of metals and alloys during processing. It encompasses the movement of molten metal in casting as well as the plastic deformation and redistribution of solid metal in forming, and it can also describe flow phenomena under high temperature and stress conditions in other metallurgical processes.

In casting, metallfluss describes how liquid metal fills a mold, interacts with runners and gates, and forms flow fronts and filling patterns that influence solidification. The resulting microstructure and defect distribution depend on the flow regime. Key factors include viscosity, temperature, surface tension, mold design, pouring rate, and the presence of oxide layers or slag.

In metal forming, metallfluss concerns how material flows within a tool cavity during deformation, including flow localization, billet filling, and the development of flow lines that relate to the final microstructure. The flow is governed by temperature, strain rate, and the material’s flow stress, and it is described by constitutive models that relate stress, strain, and temperature to predict deformation behavior.

In additive manufacturing of metals, melt pool flow and solidification front dynamics determine microstructure and mechanical properties. Process parameters such as laser power, scanning speed, and layer thickness influence convection, surface tension forces, and buoyancy within the melt pool.

Modeling and simulation play a central role in understanding metallfluss. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and finite element analysis (FEA) are used to predict filling, cooling, defect formation, and material distribution, informing tooling design and process optimization.