On the thermodynamic equilibrium of thermal casting processes

Based on thermodynamic calculations, it is shown that heating and cooling of metals and alloys are reversible, equilibrium processes. Based on thermodynamic calculations, it is shown that melting and crystallization of metals and alloys are also reversible, equilibrium processes. With an increase in the cooling rate of the metal, the temperature of its equilibrium crystallization decreases. At a high rate of metal cooling, a short‑term initial process of nonequilibrium crystallization is observed, which quickly passes into the main stage of equilibrium crystallization.