Numerical simulation of microstructure and solutal microsegregation formation of ternary alloys during solidification process

A model of microstructure and microsegregation of ternary alloys is presented using a cellular automaton (CA) method. In the model the solid fraction is deduced from the relationship between the temperature, solute concentration and curvature of the solid/liquid interface, which can be expressed as a cubic equation instead of assuming the solid/liquid interface position and shape, so as to deduce the solid fraction according to the interface velocity. Then, using the model, a dendrite of Fe–C–Si ternary alloy with 0 and 45° of preferential growth direction are simulated respectively. Finally, a solidification microstructure and solute microsegregation are simulated, and the simulated results can represent the microstructure and different solute segregation during solidification process. Furthermore, the model can be extended to multicomponent alloys solidification process.