Papers by Keyword: Eutectic Solidification

Abstract: Effect of erbium (Er) on the eutectic Si morphologies in hypoeutectic Al-Si based alloys was investigated using thermal analysis and microstructure examination. The microstructural observations show that the addition of Er causes significant modification of the eutectic silicon morphology from a coarse plate-like to a fine fibrous one. Furthermore, the results of thermal analysis reveal that the addition of Er decreased the temperatures of eutectic nucleation and growth, and increased the eutectic undercooling. The eutectic undercooling caused by the presence of Er plays an important role in the modification of eutectic silicon.

Abstract: The paper provides a new insight into the modification of eutectic Si in Al-Si based alloys. To date, impurity-induced twinning mechanism and twin plane re-entrant edge mechanism are the well-accepted theories. However, neither IIT nor TPRE can be used to interpret all modification observations. Therefore, a re-consideration of modification mechanisms is still required. In this contribution, recent advances on the understanding the modification of eutectic Si are reviewed. Two different cases are highlighted. In the case of Sr, Na and Eu addition, eutectic Si was modified from a faceted to a fibrous morphology, which involves the formation of multiple Si twinning. In the case of Yb and Ca addition, eutectic Si was refined to a smaller size, but still maintained a plate-like morphology. The possible modification mechanism was thus discussed in terms of (i) adsorption of atoms at twin re-entrant edge, and (ii) segregation across {111}_Si growth planes. Furthermore, solute entrainment of modifying elements (M) was introduced to interpret the formation of Al₂Si₂M phase or M-rich clusters within Si crystals.

Abstract: In solidification experiments of binary eutectic alloys, the eutectic spacing and undercooling are measured as function of the solidification rate. A new theoretical relationship is derived herewith between the Gibbs-Thomson coefficient and the above mentioned values for both lamellar and rod type eutectics. This new equation allows the estimation of the interfacial energy between eutectic solid phases. For the Sn/Pb eutectics the value of about 0.15 N/m is found in this paper using experimental literature data on eutectic solidification experiments. This is consistent with an earlier value obtained by a more complex experimental method of Gündüz and Hunt.

Abstract: A melt encasement (fluxing) method has been used to undercool Ag-Cu alloy at its eutectic composition. The recalescence of the undercooled alloy has been filmed at high frame rate. At low undercooling lamellar eutectic is observed to grow, giving way to a mixed anomalous-lamellar structure at higher undercooling. In situ observation of the spot brightness reveals, as expected, that the lamellar eutectic grows via a planar front mechanism, while the anomalous eutectic grows via a more complex process characterised by a double recalescence. The first recalescence is non-space-filling (dendritic) in character and is followed shortly afterwards by a second recalescence which appears to be of the planar front type. Moreover, the first recalescence event appears to be to a temperature in excess of the equilibrium eutectic temperature. This is strongly suggestive that the anomalous eutectic morphology arises due to the growth and subsequent partial remelting of a dendritic morphology, probably a two-phase (eutectic) dendrite, followed by planar front growth of a lamellar eutectic into the residual liquid.

Abstract: The well-aligned growth structures which derive from directional solidification of ceramic eutectics are of great interests due to their potential use in electronic devices and as structural materials at high temperatures. Because of the complexity of the component system and very high melting points, the solidification behavior on the oxide ceramic eutectic is still unclear up to date. In the presented paper, the Al₂O₃-Y₂O₃-ZrO₂ ternary eutectic ceramic is remelted by a DTA apparatus. The maximal heating temperature is 1950 °C. The melting and solidification behavior are investigated by the DTA analysis. The solidification microstructure is investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy disperse spectroscopy (EDS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The results show that solidus temperature and the liquidus temperature are 1738.4 °C and 1750.1 °C, respectively. The formation path of eutectic phase is discussed. The microstructure of as-solidified eutectic ceramic shows a divorced ternary eutectic structure consisting of Al₂O₃, YAG and ZrO₂ phases with a random distribution. Furthermore, the microstructural comparison with directionally solidified ternary eutectic ceramic is presented and discussed.

Abstract: The purpose of this work is to explore the effect of the presence of two different primary phases on the microstructure and solidification kinetics of Pb-Sn alloys. The experimental results have been compared with predictions obtained from the Newton Thermal Analysis of cooling curves generated by a conventional heat transfer-solidification kinetics model. Three Pb-Sn alloys have been considered in this work in order to explore the solidification characteristics of the eutectic in hypoeutectic, hypereutectic and eutectic compositions. Experimental results indicate that the Pb-Sn eutectic morphology and the solidification rate depend on the nature of the pre-existent primary phase during eutectic solidification. From the observed discrepancies between experimental and simulated results it is concluded that further improvements are needed to simulate the solidification kinetics of eutectic microconstituents in the presence of pre-existing primary phases.