In Situ Observation of Gravity and Size Effects on Thermo-Solutal Convection During Directional Solidification
摘要
In situ experimental observation found ascending solute plume is prevalent during bottom-up directional solidification in Ga–In alloy, but it disappears when solidification direction changes to top-down, which clearly demonstrates gravity effect on solute flow. Moreover, we found that size reduction in cross section can significantly accelerate thermo-solutal convection close to the wall and thus there has a higher propensity of freckle formation, in stark contrast to the behavior when sectional size is increased.