Phase field simulation of the columnar dendritic growth and microsegregation in a binary alloy

This paper applies a phase field model for polycrystalline solidification in binary alloys to simulate the formation and growth of the columnar dendritic array under the isothermal and constant cooling conditions. The solidification process and microsegregation in the mushy zone are analysed in detail. It is shown that under the isothermal condition solidification will stop after the formation of the mushy zone, but dendritic coarsening will progress continuously, which results in the decrease of the total interface area. Under the constant cooling condition the mushy zone will solidify and coarsen simultaneously. For the constant cooling solidification, microsegregation predicted by a modified Brody- Flemings model is compared with the simulation results. It is found that the Fourier number which characterizes microsegregation is different for regions with different microstructures. Dendritic coarsening and the larger area of interface should account for the enhanced Fourier number in the region with well developed second dendritic arms.     

Coarsening Dynamics in a Simplified DNLS Model

We investigate the coarsening evolution occurring in a simplified stochastic model of the Discrete NonLinear Schrödinger (DNLS) equation in the so-called negative-temperature region. We provide an explanation of the coarsening exponent n=1/3, by invoking an analogy with a suitable exclusion process. In spite of the equivalence with the exponent observed in other known universality classes, this model is certainly different, in that it refers to a dynamics with two conservation laws.     

The influence of Si on the microstructure and sintering behavior of ultrafine WC

The microstructure of sintered nanoscale tungsten carbide powders with 1?wt % Si addition was found to be populated by an abnormally large number of elongated grains. Interrupted sintering experiments were conducted to clarify the origins of the excessive abnormal grain growth seen in the microstructure. It was observed that rapid coarsening occurred at high temperatures owing to the formation of a liquid phase. However, the grain shape evolution during this coarsening period was found to be a consequence of excessive stacking faults and micro twins on the basal planes probably generated by reaction of WC with Si. Analyses of the microstructures and the isothermal and non isothermal coarsening behaviors suggested that the platelet morphology evolved by defect-assisted nucleation and growth on faceted grains. Based on experimental evidence from samples interrupted at low temperatures and crystal growth theories, we discuss the possible mechanisms that eventually led to the rampant platelet-type morphology. Further, the influence of such rapid grain growth on the shrinkage rate during sintering is also discussed. In comparison with the cyclic coarsening-densification process of sintering in pure nanoscale WC, the addition of Si leads to only two distinct sintering stages: either densification dominated or coarsening dominated. Concurrent densification and coarsening cannot be sustained particularly in the presence of a liquid phase that significantly enhances coarsening.     

Coupling between drainage and coarsening in wet foam

Drainage and coarsening are two coupled phenomena during the evolution of wet foam. We show the variation in the growth rate of bubble size, along the height in a column of Gillette shaving foam, by microscope imaging. Simultaneously, the drainage of liquid at the same heights has been investigated by Raman spectroscopic measurements. The observations made in these two sets of experiments indicate the coupling between drainage and coarsening in wet foam. We could explain the correlation between our observed data on drainage and coarsening by the empirical relation, proposed by others, in the literature.     

Up-Hill Diffusion of Phase-Separated FeCu Melt by Molecular Dynamics Simulation

Molecular dynamics simulation is performed to characterize the concentration fluctuation of FeCu melts during the liquid-liquid phase separation process, which undergoes the following stages: the formation of interconnected structure and its coarsening, migration and coagulation of droplets driven by the decreasing of potential energy.The up-hill diffusion happens at the early relaxation period in which Cu atoms in Fe-rich region are forced to move toward Cu-rich region by spinodal decomposition with 90% Cu content in Cu-rich region and 95% Fe content in Fe-rich region at temperature of 1500 K. The higher diffusion rate of homogeneous atom can be observed at lower temperature, which is attributed to the larger potential energy difference between Cu-rich region and Fe-rich region. It also exhibits energy heterogeneity in the separated liquid. The domain size decreases sharply during the aggregation and coarsening of droplets, after that it keeps unchanged until the coagulation of droplets begins.The studies characterize concentration and energy heterogeneity of phase-separated liquid on the atomic scale.     

Monitoring foam coarsening using a computer optical mouse as a dynamic laser speckle measurement sensor

In this paper, we present an experimental approach to track coarsening process of foam using a computer optical mouse as a dynamic laser speckle measurement sensor. The dynamics of foam coarsening and rearrangement events cause changes in the intensity of laser speckle backscattered from the foam. A strong negative correlation between the average speed of the cursor and the evolution of bubble diameter was found. We used microscopic images to demonstrate that decrease in speed is related to increase in bubble size. The proposed set-up is not very expensive, is highly portable and can be used in laboratory measurements of dynamics in other kinds of opaque materials.     

An extended hydrodynamic theory for particle coarsening—I: Theory

The asymptotic hydrodynamic approach to the mathematical solution of the kinetics of particle coarsening (Ostwald ripening), first proposed by Lifshitz and Slyozov and Wagner, has been extended and generalized. The coarsening rate equations in dimensionless forms have been separated into asymptotically determinate and indeterminate parts. The generalized evaluation of the asymptotically indeterminate part allows the consideration of coarsening processes that are more complicated than those involving power law type kinetics considered in previous studies. Further, the extended theory allows the determination of particle size distribution function and averaged particle coarsening kinetics even in cases where different physical processes occur at different size regimes within the same distribution of particles.     

Coulomb sink effect on coarsening of metal nanostructures on surfaces

We discuss Coulomb effects on the coarsening of metal nanostructures on surfaces. We have proposed a new concept of a “Coulomb sink” [Phys. Rev. Lett., 2004, 93: 106102] to elucidate the effect of Coulomb charging on the coarsening of metal mesas grown on semiconductor surfaces. A charged mesa, due to its reduced chemical potential, acts as a Coulomb sink and grows at the expense of neighboring neutral mesas. The Coulomb sink provides a potentially useful method for the controlled fabrication of metal nanostructures. In this article, we will describe in detail the proposed physical models, which can explain qualitatively the most salient features of coarsening of charged Pb mesas on the Si(111) surface, as observed by scanning tunneling microscopy (STM). We will also describe a method of precisely fabricating large-scale nanocrystals with well-defined shape and size. By using the Coulomb sink effect, the artificial center-full-hollowed or half-hollowed nanowells can be created.     

Coulomb sink effect on coarsening of metal nanostructures on surfaces

We discuss Coulomb effects on the coarsening of metal nanostructures on surfaces. We have proposed a new concept of a “Coulomb sink” [Phys. Rev. Lett., 2004, 93: 106102] to elucidate the effect of Coulomb charging on the coarsening of metal mesas grown on semiconductor surfaces. A charged mesa, due to its reduced chemical potential, acts as a Coulomb sink and grows at the expense of neighboring neutral mesas. The Coulomb sink provides a potentially useful method for the controlled fabrication of metal nanostructures. In this article, we will describe in detail the proposed physical models, which can explain qualitatively the most salient features of coarsening of charged Pb mesas on the Si(111) surface, as observed by scanning tunneling microscopy (STM). We will also describe a method of precisely fabricating large-scale nanocrystals with well-defined shape and size. By using the Coulomb sink effect, the artificial center-full-hollowed or half-hollowed nanowells can be created.      

Crystallisation behaviour during tensile loading of laser treated Fe–Si–B metallic glass

Effect of tensile loading on crystallisation behaviour of as-cast and laser thermal treated Fe–Si–B metallic glass foils was investigated. Tensile loading lacked any marked influence on the crystallisation behaviour of as-cast and structurally relaxed laser-treated metallic glass foils. Furthermore, the average crystallite/grain size in partially crystallised laser-treated metallic glass foil was nearly equal to the average crystallite/grain size in the region away from the fracture of the same partially crystallised laser-treated metallic glass foil after tensile loading. However, a significant crystallite/grain growth/coarsening of the order of two and half times was observed in the fractured region compared to the region around it for the laser-treated partially crystallised metallic glass foils. The simultaneous effects of stress generation and temperature rise during tensile loading were considered to play a key role in crystallite/grain growth/coarsening.     

Axial segregation of granular materials

When mixtures of granular materials are rotated, it is often found that they segregate into bands, along the axis of rotation, which are rich in the various components. This effect is discussed experimentally and theoretically, with emphasis on a mechanism based on surface flow. The complimentary phenomenon of radial segregation is reviewed, and a mechanism is proposed. Finally, we consider the long-time behavior of rotating mixtures, particularly their anomolous coarsening. (c) 1999 American Institute of Physics.     

Strain incompatibility and its influence on grain coarsening during cyclic deformation of ARB copper

It is well known that the characteristic length scale in ultra-fine grained and nanocrystalline metals has a significant effect on the mechanical behaviour. The inhibited ability to accommodate imposed strain with conventional dislocation mechanism has led to the activation of unconventional deformation mechanisms. For one, grain coarsening at shear bands has been observed to occur within metals with sub-micron grain size upon cyclic deformation. Such grain coarsening is often linked to the observed cyclic softening behaviour. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between strain localisation associated with shear banding and the observed deformation-induced grain coarsening in ultra-fine grained metals. The investigation was carried out using ultra-fine grained, oxygen-free high conductivity copper processed by accumulative roll-bonding. A close relationship between strain localisation and deformation-induced grain coarsening was revealed. As strain localisation is not only found at shear bands, but also at other places whereby heterogeneous microstructure or geometric discontinuity is present, hence the present study bears a general significance. Such strain localisation sites may also include a hard constituent embedded in a relatively ductile matrix, micro-crack tips and artificial notches. The stress concentration at these sites provides a high input of strain energy for grain boundary motion leading to grain coarsening. Furthermore, when the grain size is very small, the stress gradient leading away from the stress concentration sites is also believed to increase the driving force for grain boundary migration within the affected regions.     

Compressive Deformation Induced Nanocrystallization of a Supercooled Zr-Based Bulk Metallic Glass

The nanocrystallization behaviour of a bulk Zr-based metallic glass subjected to compressive stress is investigated in the supercooled liquid region. Compared with annealing treatments without compressive stress, compressive deformation promotes the development of nucleation and suppresses the coarsening of nanocrystallites at high temperatures.     

Effect of the magnitude of long-range atomic order and the size of antiphase domains on the grain structure and special grain boundary parameters in L12-superstructure alloys

It is found means of X-ray structural analysis, transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy combined with electron backscatter diffraction, and optical metallography that the reduction of the integral magnitude of the long-range atomic order in Ni₃Mn and Pd₃Fe L1₂-superstucture alloys ordered through the A1 + L1₂ two-phase region is accompanied by antiphase domains coarsening and grains fining.     

界面润湿性及固相体积分数对颗粒粗化动力学影响的相场法研究

利用多相场模型模拟了液-固两相体系中固相颗粒的粗化过程, 分析了界面润湿性及固相体积分数对粗化指数、粗化速率及颗粒尺寸分布的影响.结果表明, 不同固相体积分数下粗化指数基本不变, 但粗化速率常数及尺寸分布与固相体积分数及界面润湿性密切相关.在完全润湿条件下, 随着固相体积分数的增加, 粗化速率常数逐渐增大; 而非完全润湿条件下, 随着固相体积分数的增加, 粗化速率常数增大速度变缓, 且当润湿性较低、 固相分数较大时, 粗化速率常数还将随体积分数的增加而下降. 此外, 模拟结果表明各种润湿条件下颗粒的尺寸分布均随着固相分数增加而变宽, 分布峰值降低, 但非完全润湿条件下峰值下降变缓.模拟结果为理解不同实验观测结果之间的分歧提供了依据. 关键词： 粗化 相转变 相场法 润湿性     

Controlled irradiative formation of penitentes

Spike-shaped structures are produced by light-driven ablation in very different contexts. Penitentes 1-4 m high are common on Andean glaciers, where their formation changes glacier dynamics and hydrology. Laser ablation can produce cones 10-100 microm high with a variety of proposed applications in materials science. We report the first laboratory generation of centimeter-scale snow and ice penitentes. Systematically varying conditions allows identification of the parameters controlling the formation of ablation structures. We demonstrate that penitente initiation and coarsening require cold temperatures, so that ablation leads to sublimation. Once penitentes have formed, further growth of height can occur by melting. The penitentes initially appear as small structures (3 mm high) and grow by coarsening to 1-5 cm high. Our results are an important step towards understanding ablation morphologies.     

Binary Fluid Demixing: The Crossover Region

By performing lattice Boltzmann simulations of a binary mixture, we scrutinize the dynamical scaling hypothesis for the spinodal decomposition of binary mixtures for the crossover region, i.e., the region of parameters in the growth curve where neither inertia nor viscous forces dominate the coarsening process. Our results give no evidence for a breakdown of scaling in this region, as might arise if the process were limited by molecular scale physics at the point of fluid pinch-off between domains. A careful data analysis allows us to refine previous estimates on the width of the crossover region which is somewhat narrower than previously reported.     

Noise-assisted mound coarsening in epitaxial growth

Two types of mechanisms are proposed for mound coarsening during unstable epitaxial growth: stochastic, due to deposition noise, and deterministic, due to mass currents driven by surface energy differences. Both yield the relation H=(RWL)² between the typical mound height W, mound size L, and the film thickness H. An analysis of simulations and experimental data shows that the parameter R saturates to a value which discriminates sharply between stochastic () and deterministic () coarsening. We derive a scaling relation between the coarsening exponent 1/z and the mound-height exponent which, for a saturated mound slope, yields . Received: 11 November 1997 / Revised in final form: 28 November 1997 / Accepted: 28 November 1997     

Unstable step meandering with elastic interactions.

We report on theoretical investigations of the influence of step interactions due to elasticity on unstable step meandering during molecular beam homoepitaxy. It is shown that elasticity causes coarsening of the cellular structure of the meander found in a previous work. The time dependence of step roughness is found to be robust, behaving as t(1/2). The lateral length scale coarsening is shown to be sensitive to the underlying physical mechanisms. In particular, the typical length follows the law t(alpha), with alpha = 1/6 or 1/4 depending on whether line diffusion is negligibly small or not.     

印制线路板铜表面粗化液的新型添加剂

利用红外光谱、核磁共振谱等分析仪器结合分离技术对在印制线路板制作过程中应用性能较好的国外铜表面粗化液的添加剂进行了剖析,然后根据剖析结果和应用实验确定了新型铜表面粗化液的添加剂配方。应用化学分析方法测定了新型铜表面粗化液添加剂对双氧水的稳定性。该添加剂的应用性能达到了国外产品的水平。