Modeling the dendritic evolution and micro-segregation of cast alloy with cellular automaton

In order to precisely describe the dendritic morphology and micro-segregation during solidification process, a novel continuous model concerning the different physical properties in the solid phase, liquid phase and interface is developed. Coupling the heat and solute diffusion with the transition rules, the dendrite evolution is simulated by cellular automaton method. Then, the solidification microstructure evolution of a small ingot is simulated by using this method. The simulated results indicate that this model can simulate the dendrite growth, show the second dendrite arm and tertiary dendrite arm, and reveal the micro-segregation in the inter-dendritic zones. Furthermore, the columnar-to-equiaxed transition (CET) is predicted.