SIMULATING THE SOLIDIFICATION OF BORIDE–BORIDE EUTECTICS

Abstract

Computer simulations of structure formation in boride–boride ceramics are performed using the standard version of the phase-field theory. The simulations reproduce the main properties of eutectic structures observed in experiments, i.e., spatial segregation of components, structure formation from a supercooled melt, and complete decomposition of the system during relaxation towards thermodynamic equilibrium. The colonies formed in the process of directional solidification and the dependence of the spatial parameter of the emerging structures on the rate are reproduced as well. The simulations demonstrate that the ordered fibrous structures are formed only in a certain range of solidification rates.