An Integrated Numerical Model of the Spray Forming Process

In this paper, an integrated approach for modelling the entire spray forming process is presented. The basis for the analysis is a recently developed model which extents previous studies and includes the interaction between an array of droplets and the enveloping gas. The formulation of the deposition model is accomplished using a 2D cylindrical heat flow model. This model is now coupled with an atomization model via a log-normal droplet size distribution. The coupling between the atomization and the deposition is accomplished by ensuring that the total droplet size distribution of the spray is in fact the summation of 'local' droplet size distributions along the r-axis. A key parameter, which determines the yield and the shape of the deposit material, is the sticking efficiency. The sticking phenomenon is therefore incorporated into the deposition model. (C) 2002 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.