Directional dendritic solidification of a composite slurry: Part II. Particle distribution

The present work attempts to form an understanding of particle distribution during dendritic solidification of a composite slurry. It is shown that the magnitude and nature of the forces involved between a foreign particle and a growing dendrite are distinctly different from those during plane front solidification. A particle distribution map, based on theoretically evaluated forces, is proposed to predict the conditions under which engulfment, entrapment, or pushing of particles occurs during dendritic solidification. Directional solidification experiments have been conducted to study particle distribution, and comparison of these results with theoretical predictions based on the map agree well with a large number of experimental observations reported to date.