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A Mushy-Zone Rayleigh Number to Describe Interdendritic Convection During Directional Solidification of Hypoeutectic Pb-Sb and Pb-Sn Alloys

  • R. Tiwari
  • Cleveland State University

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Based on measurements of the specific dendrite surface area (S-nu), fraction of interdendritic liquid (phi), and primary dendrite spacing (lambda(1)) on transverse sections in a range of directionally solidified hypoeutectic Pb-Sb and Pb-Sn alloys that were grown at thermal gradients varying from 10 to 197 K cm(-1) and growth speeds ranging from 2 to 157 mum s(-1), it is observed that S-nu = lambda(1)(-1) S*(-0.33) (3.38 - 3.29 phi + 8.85 phi(2)), where S* = D-l G(eff)/V m(1) C-o (k - 1)/k, with D-l being the solutal diffusivity in the melt, G(eff) being the effective thermal gradient, V being the growth speed, m(l) being the liquidus slope, C-o being the solute content of the melt, and k being the solute partition coefficient. Use of this relationship in defining the mushy-zone permeability yields an analytical Rayleigh number that can be used to describe the extent of interdendritic convection during directional solidification. An increasing Rayleigh number shows a strong correlation with the experimentally observed reduction in the primary dendrite spacing as compared with those predicted theoretically in the absence of convection.

Original languageAmerican English
JournalMetallurgical and Materials Transactions A: Physical Metallurgy and Materials Science
Volume34A
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 1 2003
Externally publishedYes

Disciplines

  • Materials Science and Engineering
  • Transport Phenomena

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