Numerical investigations of stress in dendrites caused by gravity

Stresses in dendrites caused by gravity that acts perpendicular to the dendrite growth direction were numerically investigated. Here, we used a phase-field method to simulate the dendritic morphology and the finite element method to evaluate the stresses in the dendrites caused by gravity. By performing two-dimensional simulations, the effects of the anisotropy strength of interface energy, the dendrite secondary arm, and the amount of undercooling on the maximum stress that occurs at the dendrite neck were investigated. Furthermore, the maximum stress calculated by the finite element method was compared with those determined using the simple cantilever model.

► In this study, we numerically investigate the stresses in dendrite caused by gravity. ► The maximum stress increases with increasing anisotropy strength and undercooling. ► The dendrite secondary arm makes the stress increasing rate accelerate as the dendrite grows. ► The stress concentration factors are almost constant during the dendrite growth. ► The stress concentration factors increase with increasing undercooling.