In situ synchrotron X-ray studies of the coupled effects of thermal and solutal supercoolings on the instability of dendrite growth

Special growth pattern representing unique growth conditions is a vital clue to investigate the morphology evolution mechanism in metallic alloy solidification. The dendrite pattern and growth orientation of dendritic doublons in the hypoeutectic Al-Cu alloy have been studied by synchrotron radiation imaging technology and electron back scatter diffraction. The results show that this kind of doublon is two-dimensional and the secondary arms grow perpendicularly to the primary stem. This doublon morphology can appear as an equiaxed grain, columnar dendrite, or coexist with a regular dendrite. The growth directions of the dendritic doublon tips and the secondary arms are < 110 > and < 001 >, respectively. Rising cooling rate or Cu concentration in the alloys facilitates the formation of the doublonic structure. According to the kinetic morphology diagram of Al-Cu alloys (pattern-dimensionless supercooling-anisotropy) obtained from the experimental data, the dendritic doublon forming region was above the boundary of fractal dendrite and compact dendrite.