Phase-Field Modeling of Dendritic Solidification in Undercooled Droplets Processed by Electromagnetic Levitation

Abstract

The results on modeling dendritic solidification from undercooled melts processed by the electromagnetic levitation technique are discussed. In order to model the details of formation of dendritic patterns we use a phase-field model of dendritic growth in a pure undercooled system with convection of the liquid phase. The predictions of the phase-field model are discussed referring to our latest high accuracy measurements of dendrite growth velocities in nickel samples. Special emphasis is given to the growth of dendrites at small and moderate undercoolings. At small undercoolings, the theoretical predictions deviate systematically from experimental data for solidification of nickel dendrites. It is shown that small amounts of impurities and forced convective flow can lead to an enhancement of the velocity of dendritic solidification at small undercoolings.