Al–0.24wt%Fe was semi-continuously cast with the application of static magnetic field of 0.1 and 0.2 T. The magnetic field transfers the microstructure from the columnar grains growing in the <100> direction into twinned lamellar crystals growing in the <110> direction. The lamellas possess the morphology and the crystallographic growth direction of the so-called feathery crystals. However, the feathers (secondary arms) that branched off the twinning plane started to form only at 0.2T. Under the two strengths of the magnetic field applied, no side arms in the twinning planes were observed. The increase of the lamellar spacing with the magnetic field was due to the initiation of the secondary arms.

Formation of Twinned Lamellas with the Application of Static Magnetic Fields during Semi-Continuous Casting of Al–0.24wt%Fe Alloy. L.Li, Y.Zhang, C.Esling, Z.Zhao, Y.Zuo, H.Zhang, J.Cui: Journal of Crystal Growth, 2009, 311[11], 3211-5