Peering into nonequilibrium pattern formation in irregular eutectic systems
Abstract
All technological materials start their lifetimes in the liquid phase. During casting, the last major phase transformation is often the eutectic reaction, in which the liquid converts to two (or more) solid phases that arrange in a pattern. The most important eutectic growth process from a technological standpoint involves a faceted phase- the Si phase in the Al-Si eutectic. This eutectic is present in nearly every Al casting alloy, from engine blocks to bicycles. Despite its ubiquity, the mechanism by which this eutectic grows is unknown, due to the complex interplay of faceted growth, diffusion, and three-phase contact at the solid-solid-liquid triple lines. Furthermore, ex situ quench and look -type experiments perturb the solid-liquid interface that was present during growth. Thus, the growth mechanisms have been debated for over a century.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Feb 06, 2025
- Source ID
- FA95502510076
Entities
People
- Ashwin Shahani
Organizations
- Air Force Office of Scientific Research
- Board of Regents of the University of Michigan
- United States Air Force