DECLIC-DSI completed four successful solidifications by the end of November 2010. The
research team captured 7,000 images during the final session meeting all scientific objectives.
DECLIC-DSI contains a crucible filled with a dilute succinonitrile-camphor alloy of a well-defined
concentration, which is solidified by motion from a hot zone to a cold zone at a constant pulling
rate. In these runs, a large range of experimental conditions were explored to vary the resulting
microstructure. Both long solidifications and solidifications with jumps in pulling rates had been
performed to get the whole dynamics and mechanisms of microstructure formation or change,
spacing adjustment, and pattern ordering. During 2 solidification runs at very low speeds, 2
types of exotic cellular patterns became evident. Latest data are currently under treatment
(Bergeon 2011).
The study of solidification microstructure formation is very important in the design and
processing of new material. The interface patterns formed by solidification largely govern
mechanical and physical properties, thus materials and processing conditions can be designed
to obtain specific patterns which give optimum properties and better reliability of the finished
product. Experiments such as DECLIC provide a better understanding of the relationship
between micro- and macrostructure formation during solidification processes. The experiment
ultimately could result in new and better materials for use in manufacturing on Earth (Ramirez
2011).
PUBLICATION(S)
Mota FL, Bergeon N, Tourret D, Karma A, Trivedi R, Billia B. Initial transient behavior in
directional solidification of a bulk transparent model alloy in a cylinder. Acta Materialia.
February 2015;85:362-377. doi: 10.1016/j.actamat.2014.11.024.
Bergeon N, Ramirez A, Chen L, Billia B, Gu J, Trivedi R. Dynamics of interface pattern formation
in 3D alloy solidification: First results from experiments in the DECLIC directional solidification
insert on the International Space Station. Journal of Materials Science. 2011;46:6191-6202. doi:
10.1007/s10853-011-5382-2.
Ramirez A, Chen L, Bergeon N, Billia B, Gu J, Trivedi R. In situ and real time characterization of
interface microstructure in 3D alloy solidification: Benchmark microgravity experiments in the
DECLIC-Directional Solidification Insert on ISS. IOP Conference Series: Material Science and
Engineering. 2011;27(1). doi: 10.1088/1757-899X/27/1/012087.
This investigation is ongoing and additional results are pending publication.