The Influence of Solid State Diffusion on Microstructural Development during Solidification

The primary factors that effect solid state diffusion during solidification are described and binary solute redistribution equations that permit estimation of the significance of solid state diffusion are discussed. Model calculations suggest that solid state diffusion of substitutional alloying elements in FCC alloys is insignificant under most processing conditions, while that of interstitial alloying elements is likely to be complete. Experimental data that supports these results are presented. Several cases that highlight the practical importance of microsegregation on performance of engineering alloys are described as well as methods for avoiding or minimizing microsegregation for improved properties. A solute redistribution model for handling the limiting cases of solute diffusion in ternary alloys is presented and model calculations are reviewed to reveal the strong influence diffusion can have on the solidification path and resultant microstructure.