Simulation of constrained dendrite growth of multicomponent alloys using a Calphad method

The conventional theory of constrained dendrite growth for binary alloys has been extended to multicomponent alloys based on the Calphad method by consideration of solute interactions in each phase. The variable solute partition coefficients and liquidus slopes under different tip undercooling were calculated in detail for a series of Al-Si-Mg alloys. Their influence on the kinetics of dendrite growth was demonstrated quantitatively. The most important microstructure scale, the primary dendrite spacing, was predicted in several Al-Si-Mg alloys. By comparing with the experimental results of former researchers, it is found that the present method coupled with Calphad is a satisfactory way for the prediction of primary dendrite arm spacing.