Phase-Field Microstructure Solidification of Al–2 wt% Si Alloys

Abstract

In this work, we develop one- and two-dimensional phase-field simulations to approximate dendritic growth of a binary Al–2 wt% Si alloy. Simulations are performed for both isothermal as well as directional solidification. Anisotropic interface energies are included with fourfold symmetries, and the dilute alloy assumption is imposed. The isothermal results confirm the decrease in the maximum concentration for larger interface velocities as well as reveal the presence of parabolic, dendrite tips evolving along directions of maximum interface energy. The directional solidification results further confirm the formation of distinctive secondary dendritic arm structures that evolve at regular intervals along the unstable solid/liquid interface.