Effect of pressure on the copper redistribution in a solid solution and on the parameters of the dendritic structure of Al-4% Cu single crystals upon crystallization in a gravitational field

Abstract

Using electron microprobe analysis (EMA), copper concentration in the aluminum α solid solution has been determined; its distribution has been studied in Al-4% Cu single crystals obtained at different pressures under the conditions of the existence of a gravitational-field component oriented tangentially relative to the growth direction. Parameters of a dendrite structure have been determined. Their relationship with a change in the chemical composition of the alloy induced by an inhomogeneous redistribution of the second component in the process of crystallization under the effect of both the pressure and the gravitational-field component has been demonstrated.