Effect of peritectic reaction on the migration of secondary dendrite arms in the presence of tertiary dendrites: analysis of a directionally solidified Sn–36 at.%Ni peritectic alloy

Abstract

Directional solidification experiments have been performed on Sn–36 at.%Ni peritectic alloy in a constant temperature gradient at different growth velocities. Experimental result shows that a “sawtooth” morphology forms on secondary dendrite arms during the migration of secondary dendrites in the presence of tertiary dendrite arms. A theoretic model is therefore proposed to describe the formation of this “sawtooth” morphology in the peritectic solidification with tertiary dendrite arms taken into consideration. The migration of secondary dendrite arms is caused by remelting/solidification at the hot/cold sides of a liquid pool between secondary dendrite arms, which is a form of temperature gradient zone melting. And, the “sawtooth” morphology is ascribed to the difference in remelting velocity at the hot side of liquid pool during the migration of secondary dendrite arms due to the presence of tertiary dendrite arms. In addition, the proceeding of peritectic reaction can accelerate the formation of “sawtooth” morphology.