Phase-field approach - A paradigm shift in metallurgical solidification modelling

Abstract

This paper provides a fundamental overview of the phase field theory addressing some of the basic concepts. modelling formalism and application of phase field approach in metallurgical solidification analysis. The main advantage of the phase field method is that the location of the solid-liquid interface is given implicitly by the phase field, which greatly simplifies the handling of merging interfaces. The phase field methods have become increasingly popular in numerical simulation over the past ten years. Using a phase-field variable and a corresponding governing equation to describe the state (solid or liquid) in a material as a function of position and time. the diffusion equations for heat and s01ute can be solved without tracking the liquid-solid interface. The interfacial regions between liquid and solid involve smooth but highly localised variations of the phase-field variable. It is indeed a paradigm shift in metallurgical solidification analysis and modelling. The technique has been applied a wide variety of problems by various researchers including dendritic growth in pure materials: dendritic, eutectic, and peritectic growth in alloys: and solute trapping, rapid solidification and continuous casting operation.