The evolution of interfacial morphology during coarsening: A comparison between 4D experiments and phase-field simulations

The evolution of the solid–liquid interface in an Al–Cu dendritic microstructure is predicted using a phase-field model and compared to experimental data. The interfacial velocities are measured during isothermal coarsening using in situ X-ray tomographic microscopy. Good qualitative agreement is found between experimental and simulated velocities. The diffusion coefficient of solute in the liquid is calculated by comparing the magnitude of velocities. The phase-field model is applicable to much larger physical systems than previously tested, increasing its utility for studying coarsening.