The Diffusion and Solid-Liquid Phase Transformation in Directional Solidification of Alloy: A Quantitative Phase Field Characterization and Real-Time Observation

Abstract

Directional solidification is a paradigm process to gain the desired microstructure via certain applied solidification parameters. A thorough understanding of the diffusion-limited solid-liquid interface morphology evolution from initial transient to steady state is of uppermost importance to optimize the solidification processes. The rapid development of quantitative phase-field model provides a feasible computational tool to explore the underlying physics of the morphological transition at different stages. On basis of the diffusion-limited quantitative phase-field simulations using adaptive finite element method, the directional solidification of Al-4wt.%Cu alloy is characterized and both the solid interface propagation speed and solute profile are analyzed. The simulations are then compared with the in situ and real-time observation by means of synchrotron radiation x-ray radiography image. Good agreements are obtained between simulations and experimental data. Detailed mechanism that controls the morphological instability and transition are then addressed.