Characterization of microstructures and growth orientation deviating of Al2Cu phase dendrite at different directional solidification rates

By using the serial sectioning technique, the briefly three-dimensional (3D) microstructure evolution of the directionally solidified Al-40%Cu alloy at different solidification rates was obtained (the upper part figures). And the growth orientation variation of Al2Cu phase dendrite was characterized by the corresponding (100)-pole figure of Al2Cu phase (the lower part figures). (a) and (d) at 10 μm/s, (b) and (e) at 20 μm/s, (c) and (f) at 100 μm/s.270