Dendrite characteristics in directionally solidified Pb-8 Pct Au and Pb-3 Pct Pd alloys

Abstract

Pb-8 pct Au and Pb-3 pct Pd alloy specimens partially directionally solidified and then quenched have been examined in order to characterize their dendritic microstructural details and solute composition profiles. Dendrite tip radii have been measured by a controlled sectioning technique. Dendrite tip radius, solute content of quenched liquid at the dendrite tip, solute profile within the interdendritic region and ahead of the dendrite tip, cell length, and the primary arm spacing values obtained experimentally have been compared with the theoretical predictions. Two groups of models, one based on the minimum undercooled dendrite tip criterion and the other based on the marginal stability at the dendrite tip, have been examined. The Burden and Hunt model, based on the “minimum undercooling” approach, does not predict the observed behavior. However, a modification of the Burden and Hunt's model recently proposed by Laxmanan shows a good fit to the experimentally observed parameters. The models based on the marginal stability approach also predict most of the observed behavior well. It is concluded that quantitative comparison of the primary arm spacing measurements can not form the basis of distinguishing among the various dendrite growth models in a positive temperature gradient. There is a critical need to carry out carefully controlled directional solidification experiments in a well characterized metallic alloy system to help distinguish between the minium dendrite tip undercooling and the marginal stability approaches. New experiments based on simultaneous measurements of (a) dendrite tip radius, (b) dendrite tip temperature, and (c) the solute profile ahead of the dendrite tip—all in a convection free atmosphere—are required.