Directional solidification and convection in small diameter crucibles

J. Chen, P. K. Sung, S. N. Tewari, D. R. Poirier, H. C. de Groh

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

12 Scopus citations

Abstract

Pb-2.2 wt.% Sb alloy was directionally solidified in 1, 2, 3 and 7 mm diameter crucibles. Pb-Sb alloy presents a solutally unstable case. Under plane-front conditions, the resulting macrosegregation along the solidified length indicates that convection persists even in the 1 mm diameter crucible. Al-2 wt.% Cu alloy was directionally solidified because this alloy was expected to be stable with respect to convection. Nevertheless, the resulting macrosegregation pattern and the microstructure in solidified examples indicated the presence of convection. Simulations performed for both alloys show that convection persists for crucibles as small as 0.6 mm of diameter. For the solutally stable alloy, Al-2 wt.% Cu, the simulations indicate that the convection arises from a lateral temperature gradient.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)397-405
Number of pages9
JournalMaterials Science & Engineering A: Structural Materials: Properties, Microstructure and Processing
Volume357
Issue number1-2
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 25 2003

Keywords

  • Al-Cu
  • Convection
  • Directional solidification
  • Pb-Sb
  • Smaller diameter crucibles

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Materials Science(all)
  • Condensed Matter Physics
  • Mechanics of Materials
  • Mechanical Engineering

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