Direct Microscopic And Microholographic Observations Of The Solidification Of Particles From Rapidly Stirred Melts

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Abstract
A microscopic set-up to observe fast moving solidifying particles during stir casting is described. The set-up consists of a Ruby laser and a frequency doubled Nd3+:YAG laser, a model device of an actual stir casting apparatus filled with a transparent organic alloy, melting at a low temperature and three different recording systems. Using a neopentyl alcohol alloy as a model substance for metal alloys, the crystallization process is studied by direct observation. Pulses from both lasers are used to provide a sufficiently short exposure time to take (simultaneously) holograms, microphotographs and videorecordings of the fast moving (flow rates up to 10 ms-1) small particles with sizes in the order of 10-103 μm. Primarily solidified particles appear to have equiaxed dendritic shapes. The longest diameter of these particles attain a maximum for low stirring rates and high cooling rates. After a period of stirring, some of the dendrite tips grow and transform the particle shapes into more spherical ones. At this stage the morphology of the solidified particles shows a good similarity with stir casted metal alloys.

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