An experimental method for the in-situ observation of eutectic growth patterns in bulk samples of transparent alloys

TL;DR

This paper introduces an experimental technique for real-time in-situ visualization of eutectic growth patterns in transparent alloys, enabling detailed observation of the solidification front in bulk samples.

Contribution

It presents a novel method using a long-distance microscope at a specific tilt angle to observe eutectic growth fronts in bulk transparent alloy samples.

Findings

Clear visualization of eutectic fibers of about 3.5 micrometers in diameter.

Ability to observe the entire growth front in 400-micrometer thick samples.

Demonstration of in-situ observation of directional solidification patterns.

Abstract

We present an experimental method for the in-situ observation of directional-solidification fronts in bulk samples of transparent eutectic alloys. The growth front is observed obliquely in dark field through the liquid and a glass wall of the container with a long-distance microscope. We show that a focused image of the whole growth front can be obtained at a certain tilt angle of the microscope. At this tilt angle, eutectic fibers of about 3.5\mic in diameter can be clearly seen over the whole growth front in 400-\mic thick samples.