Phase field simulation of multi-dendrite growth in a coupled thermal-solute-convective environment

Abstract

To study the complexities in multi-dendrite growth during solidification, a fully coupled thermal-solute-convective phase field model and a parallel multigrid computing scheme have been developed for the first time for the simulation of multi-dendrite growth in a condition involving coupled heat/solute transfer, and flow convection. The interplay between fluid flow and heat/solute transfer and the resultant effects on dendrite growth, such as the effects of recirculating eddies, solute pile-up on the growth of primary and higher-order dendrite arms, and the final multi-dendrite morphology have been analysed and are discussed in detail. In particular, the development of multi-dendrites with four and six-fold symmetry in the presence of fluid flow is studied and contrasted. © Published under licence by IOP Publishing Ltd.