Parameter calculation and result storage for phase-field simulation in α-Mg dendrite growth of Mg-5-wt% Zn alloy

Abstract

As two necessary steps in phase-field simulation, parameters calculation and results storage play an important role to ensure the accuracy of simulation results. A strategy of parameters calculation and results storage was presented for phase-field simulation in α-Mg dendrite growth of Mg-5wt%Zn alloy under isothermal solidification. Based on the phase diagram and empirical formulas, key parameters of the phase-field model (equilibrium partition coefficient k, liquidus slope m, solutal diffusion coefficient in liquid Dl , solutal diffusion coefficient in solid Ds , etc.) can be obtained. Both structured grid and structured point storage methods can be used to store simulation results, but using the latter method will reduce about 60% storage space and 37.5% storage time compared to the former. Finally, convergent simulation results of α-Mg dendrite growth were obtained and in good agreement with the optical micrograph of experimental results, which verify the accuracy of parameters and stability of storage methods.