Towards a Physically Consistent Phase-Field Model for Alloy Solidification

Abstract

We give an overview of contributions made to the computational phase-field modelling of alloy solidification from the University of Leeds as part of the LiME project (EPSRC Advanced Manufacturing Hub in Liquid Metal Engineering). The broader look at the more salient features from our research allows the individual contributions to be seen in a wider context than can be seen from each contribution separately. We begin with a general introduction to phase-field and then reference the numerical issues that arise from the solution of the model before outlining contributions to phase-field modelling that we found most interesting or significant. These range from controlling and developing interface-width independent modelling; controlling morphology in both single and multiphase settings; generalising from single to multiphase models; and creating a thermodynamically consistent framework for modelling entropy flow and thereby postulating a temperature field consistent with the concepts of, and applicable in, multiphase and density-dependent settings.

Keywords

• phase-field
• alloy solidification
• non-equilibrium thermodynamics
• intermetallics