Zone Partitioning Sequential Calculation Method for Three-Dimensional Phase-Field Material Simulation during Directional Solidification

Abstract

Complex dendritic structures can be simulated directly by phase field method. However, phase field method needs a very fine mesh computing and memory requirements. A new calculation method named zone partitioning sequential calculation method is proposed to expand the simulation area of phase field method. The simulation area can be divided into several parts, and the parts can be calculated one by one in a certain order by the new method. This new method can reduce the computing and memory requirements of single calculation, because a part of the simulation area is less than the whole simulation area. Although this method could make error in the interface of different parts of the simulation area when the grains go through the interface, but the error has less effect on the grain growth. By using phase field method, coupled with zone partitioning sequential calculation method, the simulation of the directional solidification process of Al-Cu binary alloy is operated. The results show that the new method can be applied to phase field simulation of binary alloy solidification in a large area. The simulation results have certain accuracy and reliability.