Phase-field simulation of formation of cellular dendrites and fine cellular structures at high growth velocities during directional solidification of Ti₅₆Al₄₄ alloy

A phase-field model whose free energy of the solidification system derived from the Calphad thermodynamic modeling of phase diagram was used to simulate formation of cellular dendrites and fine cellular structures of Ti₅₆Al₄₄ alloy during directional solidification at high growth velocities. The liquid-solid phase transition of L → β was chosen. The dynamics of breakdown of initially planar interfaces into cellular dendrites and fine cellular structures were shown firstly at two growth velocities. Then the unidirectional free growths of two initial nucleations evolving to fine cellular dendrites were investigated. The tip splitting phenomenon is observed and the negative temperature gradient in the liquid represents its supercooling directional solidification. The simulation results show the realistic evolution of interfaces and microstructures and they agree with experimental one.