FINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS OF ALUMINIUM-PISTON MOULD
Abstract
This study presents a finite element analysis (FEA) of an aluminium piston mould, with a focus on both thermal and structural performance under casting conditions. The mould was designed using CATIA and analysed in SolidWorks Simulation, with H13 tool steel selected as the mould material due to its high toughness, thermal fatigue resistance, and suitability for hot-working applications. The thermal analysis investigated heat transfer and cooling behaviour during molten aluminium solidification, while the structural analysis evaluated stress distribution, deformation, and potential crack initiation zones. Temperature-dependent material properties were employed to ensure realistic predictions, and appropriate boundary conditions were applied to replicate casting operations. The results showed that the mould experiences significant thermal gradients leading to localised stress concentrations, particularly around the cavity corners and gating sections. However, the structural integrity of the H13 tool steel mould remained within acceptable limits(~400-600MPa), with deformation and equivalent stresses below critical thresholds(
Full-Text Access Notice
In accordance with the NERD Policy on promoting peer-reviewed publication, public access to the full text of a project, thesis or dissertation is restricted for three years, allowing the author and supervisors sufficient time to pursue peer-reviewed publication.
During this period, researchers with legitimate academic or research purposes may request authorisation directly from the author to enable NERD to release the indexed full texts of the work using the form below.