Ostwald ripening analysis using phase-field model

Abstract

The Ostwald ripening phenomena is studied using a phase-field model. The phase-field parameters are obtained at a thin interface limit proposed by Kim et al. It is shown that small solid particles preferably melt out, and large particles grow and agglomerate due to the curvature undercooling. Calculation results are consistent with the LSW rule. The rate constant of average particle radius is estimated as 0.57 at 0.2 solid fraction. The change in shape of the invariant particle size distribution due to finite volume fraction agrees with experiment and a statistical model. The difference of the calculation results by Diepers et al. and by the present work is discussed. The change in the shape of the invariant size distribution depending on solid fraction is also shown. The shape becomes more wide and symmetry with increase of the solid fraction.