Abstract
In the past 50 years, there has been increasing interest—both theoretically and experimentally—in the problem of pattern formation of a moving boundary, such as a solidification front. One example of pattern formation is that of irregular eutectic solidification, in which the solid–liquid interface is non-isothermal and the interphase spacing varies in ways that are poorly understood. Here, we identify the growth mode of irregular eutectics, using reconstructions from four-dimensional (that is, time and space resolved) X-ray microtomography. Our results show that the eutectic growth process can be markedly different from that seen in previously used model systems and theories based on the ex situ analysis of microstructure. In light of our experimental findings, we present a coherent growth model of irregular eutectic solidification.
Highlights
In the past 50 years, there has been increasing interest—both theoretically and experimentally—in the problem of pattern formation of a moving boundary, such as a solidification front
The ‘re-nucleation’ of grains accounts for the observed polycrystallinity of the non-faceted phase in irregular eutectic alloys[11,12,13]
While great insights have been gained into the structure and crystallography of irregular eutectics, their interfacial dynamics have remained an enigma for the past 50 years
Summary
In the past 50 years, there has been increasing interest—both theoretically and experimentally—in the problem of pattern formation of a moving boundary, such as a solidification front. The faceted phase does not change direction due to its atomic structure, covalent bonding and defect-mediated growth mechanism[2,17]. In 1980, Fisher and Kurz[1] provided the first model of irregular eutectic growth.
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