Phase Field Modeling of Solute Trapping in a Al-Sn Alloy during Rapid Solidification

Abstract

During rapid solidification, interfaces are often driven far from equilibrium and the "solute trapping" phenomenon is usually observed. Very recently, a phase field model with finite interface dissipation, in which separate kinetic equations are assigned to each phase concentration instead of an equilibrium partitioning condition, has been newly developed. By introducing the so-called interface permeability, the phase field model with finite interface dissipation can nicely describe solute trapping during solidification in the length scale of micrometer. This model was then applied to perform a phase field simulation in a Al-Sn alloy (Al-0.2 at.% Sn) during rapid solidification. A simplified linear phase diagram was constructed for providing the reliable driving force and potential information. The other thermophysical parameters, such as interface energy and diffusivities, were directly taken from the literature. As for the interface mobility, it was estimated via a kinetic relationship in the present work. According to the present phase field simulation, the interface velocity increases as temperature decreases, resulting in the enhancement of solute trapping. Moreover, the simulated solute segregation coefficients in Al-0.2 at.% Sn can nicely reproduce the experimental data.