Comparative study of the influence of natural convection on directional solidification of Al–3.5 wt% Ni and Al–7 wt% Si alloys

We present numerical simulations of thermosolutal convection for directional solidification of Al–3.5 wt% Ni and Al–7 wt% Si. Numerical results predict that fragmentation of dendrite arms resulting from dissolution could be favored in Al–7 wt% Si, but not in Al–3.5 wt% Ni. Corresponding experiments are in qualitative agreement with the numerical predictions. Distinguishing the two fragmentation mechanisms, namely dissolution and remelting, is critical during experiments on earth, when fluid flow is dominant.