Abbas Mohassel - Department of materials science and engineering, Sharif University of technology, Tehran, Iran
Ahmad Bahmani - Razi metallurgical research center, No.۸, Fernan St., Sorkhehhesar Road, Km ۲۱ Karadj
Amir Baghani
Parviz Davami - Department of materials science and engineering, Sharif University of technology, Tehran, Iran

Thermite welding is a worldwide welding process in truck industries that benefits from the simplicity, portability, and economy. In this study, molten steel was prepared by thermite reaction and poured between two wide-gap rails in a sand mold. SUTCAST, which is finite difference basesoftware, was used to analysis heat transfer in the welding process. The experienced condition was obtained from varying the simulation parameters. The simulation results were in good agreement with the experiment. Effects of weld gap size as well as pouring and rail preheating temperature, were investigated and it is concluded that the mentioned parameters have the pronounced effect in increasing the penetration depth. The optimum conditions for the specified rail gap were also predicted

thermite welding, heat transfer, simulation, wide-gap, preheating