An implicit finite difference formulation with three methods of latent heat treatment, such as equivalent specific heat method, temperature recovery method and enthalpy method, was applied to solidification analysis. The Neumann problem was solved to compare the numerical results with the exact solution. The implicit solutions with the equivalent specific heat method and the temperature recovery method were comparatively consistent with the Neumann exact solution for smaller time steps, but its error increased with increasing time step, especially in predicting the solidification beginning time. Although the computing time to solve energy equation using temperature recovery method was shorter than using enthalpy method, the method of releasing latent heat is not realistic and causes error. The implicit formulation of phase change problem requires enthalpy method to treat the release of latent heat reasonably. We have modified the enthalpy formulation in such a way that the enthalpy gradient term is not needed, and as a result of this modification, the computation stability and the computing time were improved.

The effects of alloying elements on the structure and mechanical properties of compacted/vermicular graphite cast irons containing copper, tin and molubdenum for producing pearlite matrix, and also containing phosphorus and boron for increasing wear resistance, were investigated. The Brinell hardness and ultimate tensile strength of the specimens with the range of compositions, [1.5% Cu-0.05% Sn-(0.2-0.4)% Mo-(0.2-0.6)% P-(0.035-0.070)% B], was found to fall within in the following range, depending on their composition; Brinell hardness of BHN 250-315, ultimate tensile strength of $28.1-40.3kg/mm^2$. It was also found within this experiment that CV graphite cast irons possessing higher amount of phosphide eutectic exhibit better wear resistance, but the wear resistance became deteriorate when the area fraction of phosphide eutectics exceed more than 10%. From these experimental results, it could be concluded that the CV graphite cast iron containing 1.5% Cu, 0.05% Sn, 0.4% Mo, 0.2% P and 0.035% B showed good mechanical and wear resistance properties.

The purpose of this study is to obtain basic information on the particle dispersion, the coefficient of thermal expansion and the thermal conductivity of compocasted Al-xSi-2Cu-1Mg/ySiC(x:6, 12, 18. $y:0{\sim}10wt.%$) composite. With increasing the content of SiC particles, the thermal expension coefficient and the thermal conductivity decrease. The coefficient of thermal expension between 20 and $300^{\circ}C$ is $21.3{\times}10^{-6}/^{\circ}C{\sim}18.0{\times}10^{-6}/^{\circ}C$ for the Al-Si alloys and $18.4{\times}10^{-6}/^{\circ}C{\sim}16.0{\times}10^{-6}/^{\circ}C$ for the composite with 10wt.% SiC. The thermal conductivity at $300^{\circ}C$ is $121{\sim}169W{\cdot}m^{-1}{\cdot}k^{-1}$ for the Al-Si alloys and $114{\sim}159W{\cdot}m^{-1}{\cdot}k^{-1}$ for the composite with 10wt.% SiC.

Aluminum base composites reinforced with various amount of SiC particles and Mg contents have been investigated by different fabrication method for twenty-years. In this paper, how the decomposition and dissolution behaviors of $SiCp(20{\mu}m)$ in the melt of Al composites arised was studied. As the results, the decomposition and dissolution of SiCp into the melt of Al composites increased with increase of the temperature above $720^{\circ}C$, and holding time at a given melting temperature. Because SiC is thermodynamically unstable in this Al-SiCp composite at temperature above the liquidus, SiCp dissolves and reacts with Al in matrix to form $Al_4C_3$ according to following chemical equation $4Al+3SiC{\rightarrow}Al_4C_3+3Si$, Si decomposed and dissolved from SiCp increases Si content of matrix, while liquidus temperature of matrix decrease with increase of SiC content in matrix. The hardness of SiCp decreased with increase of the melting temperature, the hardness of the matrix /particle interface increased with increase of the melting temperature due to increase of the $Mg_2Si$ and $Al_4C_3$ intermetallic compounds, etc.

Mg-9wt.%Al and Mg-9wt.%-1.6wt%Zn/SiCp(particle size $40{\mu}m$) metal-matrix-composite specimens were manufactured by rheo-compocasting method, known for its effect of improving the wettability. The ceramic reinforcement particles(SiCp) were dispersed in the semi-solid magnesium alloy matrix slurry being vigorously stirred in a high frequency induction furnace under inert atmosphere. A microstructural study of the dispersed particles in the specimens, prepared under different conditions as regards the time(10min, 20min, 30min) and temperature of the stirring, was made with the aid of optical microscope and SEM. The effect of superheating was also observed. It is revealed that 30 minutes' stirring time of the semi-solid at 40% solid fraction temperature(Mg-9wt.%Al : $590^{\circ}C$, AZ91 : $576^{\circ}C$), as determined by the lever rule, gives a satisfactorily uniform distribution of the particles. The superheating is observed to enhance further the uniformity.

Aluminum alloy(AC8A) matrix composites reinforced with SiC particles(10% in vol.) were fabricated by Centrifugal Spray Deposition(CSD) process. The microstructures were investigated in order to evaluate both the mixing mode between aluminum matrix and SiC particles, and the effect of SiC particles on the cooling behaviours of droplets during flight and preforms deposited. A non-continuum mathematical calculation was performed to explain and to quantify the evolution of microstructures in the droplets and preforms deposited. Conclusions obtained are as follows; 1. The powders produced by CSD process showed, in general, ligament type, and more than 60% of the powders produced were about 300 to 850 um in size. 2. AC8A droplets solidified during flight showed fine dendritic structure, but AC8A droplets mixed with SiC particles showed fine equiaxed grain structure, and eutectic silicon were formed to crystallize granularly between fine aluminum grains. 3. SiC particles seem to act as a nucleation sites for pro-eutectic silicon during solidification of AC8A alloy. 4. The microstructure of composite powders formed by CSD process showed particle embedded type, and resulted in dispersed type microstructure in preforms deposited. 5. The pro-eutectic silicon crystallized granularly between fine aluminum grains seem to prohibit grains from growth during spray deposition process. 6. The interfacial reactions between aluminum matrix and SiC particles were not observed from the deposit performs and the solidified droplets. 7. The continuum model seem to be useful in connecting the processing parameters with the resultant microstructures. From these results, it was concluded that the fabrication of aluminum matrix composites reinforced homogeneously with SiC particles was possible.