Microstructural study of containerless solidification of Al-5wt%Ce alloy

Abstract Containerless solidification of Al-5wt%Ce is investigated experimentally using the electromagnetic levitation technique. The processed samples show small primary undercooling and minimal eutectic undercooling. Phase fractions determined by neutron diffraction are similar to the values obtained from a Scheil-Gulliver solidification simulation. Significant solidification shrinkage at the top of the samples indicate that solidification started at the bottom and the front propagated upwards. X-ray microscopy results show multiple nucleation events throughout the samples.