Decoupled versus coupled growth dynamics of an irregular eutectic alloy

Abstract

We present an experimental study of irregular growth patterns observed in real time during thinsample directional solidification of a faceted/nonfaceted eutectic alloy, namely, the transparent 2-amino-2-methyl-1,3-propanediol (AMPD)-succinonitrile (SCN) system. The body-centered cubic SCN crystals are nonfaceted, while monoclinic AMPD crystals grow as faceted needles. At low velocities (<0.3 mu ms(-1)), a decoupled growth regime is observed, during which the tip of the AMPD crystals grows ahead of the SCN-liquid interface. At intermediate velocities, an unsteady coupled-growth regime takes place, with intermittent pinning of triple SCN-AMPD-liquid junctions, and frequent noncrystallographic branching. At higher velocities (>1 mu ms(-1)), two-phase fingers form.