Multiscale Experiments and Modeling of Metal Alloy Solidification Dynamics

Los Alamos National Laboratory can provide experimentally validated solidification dynamics models, from the microscopic to macroscopic scales (timescales depend upon manufacturing processes). LANL also offers subject matter experts for in situ characterization (visualization of solidification dynamics with x-rays and protons), controlled processing, and microstructural and process modeling. The laboratory also can facilitate prediction and control of metal alloy solidification dynamics and advanced manufacturing. Capability includes: LANL user facilities, U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) user facility access, and LANL computational tools.

Capability Bounds

For experiments, typical sample sizes may vary from mm to m, and typical sample thicknesses may range from µm to cm. Imaging field of view may range from 1 to 120 mm2, imaging spatial resolution may range from 0.5 to 280 µm, imaging exposure times may range from ns to s, and imaging frame rates may vary from 0.1 to 1000 Hz. Microstructural and process model simulations range from µm to continuum scale. Models are Message Passing Interface (MPI) and graphics processing unit (GPU) parallelized for high-performance computing simulations.

Unique Aspects

Microstructural and process modeling is informed, developed, and validated by experiments for multiscale predictive capability of metal alloy solidification dynamics. The experimental and computational expertise for this work is unique to LANL.

Availability

User proposal submissions for both LANL and DOE user facilities are required to access this capability.

References

• D. Tourret, A.J. Clarke, S.D. Imhoff, P.J. Gibbs, J.W. Gibbs, A. Karma. “Three-dimensional multiscale modeling of dendritic spacing selection during Al-Si directional solidification”, JOM 2015, 67(8):1776-1785
• D. Tourret, A. Karma, A.J. Clarke, P.J. Gibbs, S.D. Imhoff. “Three-dimensional dendritic needle network model with application to Al-Cu directional solidification experiments”, Modeling of Casting, Welding and Advanced Solidification Processes (MCWASP XIV) IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering 2015, 84:012082
• S.D. Imhoff, P.J. Gibbs, M.R. Katz, T.J. Ott Jr., B.M. Patterson, W.-K. Lee, K. Fezzaa, J.C. Cooley, A.J. Clarke. “Dynamic evolution of liquid-liquid phase separation during continuous cooling”, Materials Chemistry and Physics 2015, 153:93-1023

Information Link(s)

http://www.lanl.gov/org/padste/adeps/materials-science-technology/index.php