Modelling the Solidification Microstructure Formation of Cobalt Dendritic Alloys

In the present work a mathematical model has been developed to explain the microstructure characteristics obtained during the solidification process of dendritic cobalt alloys, under ordinary low cooling rate conditions. The model, taking into account physical aspects such as undercooling, cooling rate, solute diffusion, interfacial energy, and dendrite tip morphology, allowed results to explain the experimental microstructure changes observed when the processing conditions were varied. The mathematical model involved micro and macroscopic phenomena occurring during the solidification process of metallic alloys. The solutions of the governing equations were obtained applying a non-coupled scheme, which enables the possibility to simulate the solidification of complex geometry castings.