High magnetic field induction of the formation of twinned dendrites during directional solidification of Al–4.5wt%Cu alloy

Abstract

It is reported that the application of a high magnetic field is capable of inducing the formation of twinned dendrites during directional solidification of Al–4.5wt%Cu alloy. Numerical results reveal that a unidirectional thermoelectric magnetic force acts on tilted dendrites during directional solidification under a magnetic field. This force should be responsible for the formation of twinned dendrites. The work may initiate a new method for inducing twinned dendrites in Al-based alloys via an applied high magnetic field during directional solidification.

Keywords:

• twinned dendrites
• α-Al dendrite
• high magnetic field
• solidification

Acknowledgements

The authors are indebted to Prof. Thierry Duffar in EPM/CNRS, Grenoble, for helpful and fruitful discussions.