The Growth of a Single Cell/Dendrite in a Directional Solidification Process

Following the original model for a single cell/dendrite growth by Hunt,[5] systematic numerical simulations are carried out with focus on cell shape evolution and tip radius selection in a directional solidification process conducted in a capillary tube. Computations indicate that the anisotropy of solid/liquid interfacial energy and the diameter of a capillary tube have significant influences on the selection of a tip shape. The anisotropy in dilute SCN-salol alloys has been determined through the equilibrium droplet shape method and its value is 1.09 pct. The calculated cell/dendrite shapes with this value of anisotropy agree with experimental observations where a single cell/dendrite of SCN-salol alloys grows in a capillary tube.