Columnar Dendritic Microstructure Research Articles

Microstructure Improvement in Weld Metal Using Ultrasonic Vibrations

The ultrasonic vibration is used to refine the 316L weld metal microstructure. The test results show that the fraction of columnar dendritic microstructure in weld metal is as function of output of ultrasonic vibration. With the increase of the output from 0 to 90, the ratio of the columnar dendritic microstructure decrease significantly, from 95 % dendritic microstructure to 10 %.

Microstructure Formation in AlSi7 Alloys Directionally Solidified with Forced Melt Flow

AlSi7Mg0.6 alloys are directionally solidified with forced melt flow induced by a rotating magnet ring. By increasing the rotational frequency of the permanent magnet the columnar dendritic microstructure in the centre part of the samples changes completely towards a structure of small equiaxed grains with different crystallographic orientations, accompanied by an increased amount of eutectic and Mg2Si phases.

Simple model of microsegregation during solidification of steels

A simple analytical model of microsegregation for the solidification of multicomponent steel alloys is presented. This model is based on the Clyne-Kurz model and is extended to take into account the effects of multiple components, a columnar dendrite microstructure, coarsening, and the δ/γ transformation. A new empirical equation to predict secondary dendrite arm spacing as a function of cooling rate and carbon content is presented, based on experimental data measured by several different researchers. The simple microsegregation model is applied to predict phase fractions during solidification, microsegregation of solute elements, and the solidus temperature. The predictions agree well with a range of measured data and the results of a complete finite-difference model. The solidus temperature decreases with either increasing cooling rate or increasing secondary dendrite arm spacing. However, the secondary dendrite arm spacing during solidification decreases with increasing cooling rate. These two opposite effects partly cancel each other, so the solidus temperature does not change much during solidification of a real casting.

Permeability for cross flow through columnar-dendritic alloys

Experiments for measuring permeability in columnar-dendritic microstructures have provided data only up to a volume fraction of liquid of 0.66. Hence, the permeability for flow perpendicular to the primary dendrite arms in columnar-dendritic microstructures was calculated, extending our data base for permeability to volume fractions of liquid as high as 0.98. Analyses of the dendritic microstructures were undertaken first by detecting the solid-liquid interfaces with a special computer program and then by generating a mesh for a finite-element fluid flow simulation. Using a Navier-Stokes solver, the velocity and pressure at the nodes were calculated at the microstructural level. In turn, the average pressure gradient was used to calculate the Darcy permeability. Permeabilities calculated by this versatile technique provided data at high volume fractions of liquid that merged with the empirical data at the lower volume fractions.

Electron beam simulation of disruptions into stainless steel

The effects of repetitive pulsed heating and melt layer formation on type 304 stainless steel are reported. A line-source electron beam with pulse times of 0.5 or 1.5 ms and power densities up to 100 kW/cm 2 has been used for 1–40 pulse cycles at 500°C substrate temperatures. Numerical calculations of the temperature profiles and their time evolution during melt layer formation are also carried out. Significant metallurgical changes are observed, both in the melt layers and in the adjacent heat-affected zone. Melt depths (10–20 μm) are consistent with calculations and the resolidified regions exhibit columnar or columnar-dendritic microstructure. Appreciable lateral motion within the molten layer results in very rough surfaces and localized cracking occurs. Extensive slip deformation is seen in the adjacent heat-affected zone, and low-cycle fatigue crack initiation is observed after only 20 pulses. Chemical changes in the stainless steel melt layer result from the preferential vaporization of Mn from the melt layer and correlate with the time in the liquid phase. We suggest that the preferential loss of high vapor pressure species such as Mn in the early phases of plasma device operation might provide a unique signature of the impurity introduction mechanism. Disruption melted compositions are distinctly different from the more-nearly stochiometric ratios of Mn/Cr/Ni expected for sputter erosion.