Rapid Solidification Analysis of 18Cr-8Ni Stainless Steel Considering Dendrite Growth Conditions

The initial stage of rapid solidification of 18Cr-8Ni stainless steel was numerically analyzed using the relationship between tip temperature and growth rate of a free dendrite. The generation rate of latent heat of fusion was evaluated from the growth rate of the interface which was given as a function of tip temperature of a dendrite. A phase selection rule that the phase with larger growth rate under a given tip temperature could grow was assumed in the analysis.The calculated length of cellular structure of metastable γ phase was in good agreement with experimental data, when the reported relationship between cooling rate and initial undercooling at the onset of solidification was assumed in the calculations.