Temperature distributions during crystallization at constant velocity

The temperature distribution in a crystal-melt system solidifying with a planar interface is examined. The case of an infinite system, initially at a uniform temperature, solidifying at a constant (interface controlled) velocity is solved explicity. The limiting interface heating is found to be the latent heat divided by the specific heat, which can be quite large. Estimates of the effect of finite sample size are given. Interface attachment kinetics and heat flow control mechanisms are discussed. The results of the analysis are compared with experiments on three representative materials: sodium disilicate (an oxide glass-former), α-phenol o-cresol (an organic glass-former) and tin (a metal).