The mechanical properties of metal castings are dependent upon the temperature gradient at the solid-liquid interface and the rate of advance of this interface as the metal freezes.

An analytical method of predicting freezing and temperature profiles in a metal casting would be of interest to the casting industry. Problems could be anticipated while the mold and casting were still in the design stage,   thereby saving the expense of a trial and error modification of the initial mold design.

In this thesis a numerical technique is developed to predict the advance of the solid-liquid interface and the temperature profiles during the freezing process. Although the method is developed in a cylindrical co-ordinate system it is easily adapted to other co-ordinate systems. An experimental program was also undertaken in order to check the accuracy of the numerical method.