Phase-field Modeling of Eutectic Solidification: From Oscillations to Invasion

TL;DR

This paper introduces a phase-field model for eutectic solidification that captures oscillatory behaviors and phase invasions, providing insights into pattern evolution during solidification processes.

Contribution

The model uniquely uses three phase fields with stable binary interfaces and a smooth free energy functional, enabling detailed simulation of complex eutectic growth phenomena.

Findings

Oscillatory limit cycles in lamellar growth

Transition from low-amplitude oscillations to invasions

Continuous evolution with lamellar spacing variation

Abstract

We develop a phase-field model of eutectic growth that uses three phase fields, admits strictly binary interfaces as stable solutions, and has a smooth free energy functional. We use this model to simulate oscillatory limit cycles in two-dimensional lamellar growth, and find a continuous evolution from low-amplitude oscillations to successive invasions of one solid phase by the other when the lamellar spacing is varied.