Phase-field simulation of dragging of liquid Bi particles during the thermally activated migration of grain boundaries in the Al–Bi system

The evolution of microstructures of an Al–Bi alloy in which the thermally activated grain growth of solid Al matrix occurs in the presence of liquid Bi particles was analyzed using a two-dimensional phase-field model. The simulation results demonstrate the solidification of an initial Al-rich liquid phase followed by a coarsening of the Bi-rich liquid droplets in the solid Al matrix, in agreement with the results of experimental observations.