Finite Element thermomechanical simulation of droplets impacting on a rigid substrate

Finite Element simulation techniques (FEM) for the spreading process of a ceramic liquid droplet impacting on a flat cold surface have been developed. The goal of the present investigation is (1) to predict the geometrical form of the splat as a function of process parameters, such as initial temperature and velocity, and (2) to follow the thermal field developing in the droplet up to solidification. A non-linear finite element procedure has been extended in order to model the complex physical phenomena involved in the impact process. The dynamic motion of the viscous melt in the drops as constrained by elastic surface tensions interaction with the developing contact with the target, ultimately has been coupled to transient thermal phenomena accounting also for the solidfication of the material.In a first model description, spherical particles of liquid ceramic of given temperature and velocity impact on a flat, cool rigid surface. The deformation of the splat geometry as well as the e...