by parallel experiments performed under X-ray diagnostics on sounding rocket flights. This
unique data are used to improve modelling of solidification microstructures and grain structure
on different lengths scales. An example of such a model prediction is depicted in the following
picture that can be qualitatively compared with the experimental results presented above.
PUBLICATION(S)
Liu DR, Mangelinck-Noel N, Gandin C, et al. Structures in directionally solidified Al–7wt.% Si
alloys: Benchmark experiments under microgravity. Acta Materialia. February 2014;64:256-265.
doi: 10.1016/j.actamat.2013.10.038.
Mirihanage WU, Browne DJ, Sturz L, Zimmermann G. Numerical modelling of the Material
Science Lab - Low Gradient Furnace (MSL-LGF) Microgravity Directional Solidification
Experiments on the columnar to equiaxed transition. IOP Conferene Series: Material Science
and Engineering. January 12, 2012;27(1):012010. doi: 10.1088/1757-899X/27/1/012010.
Sturz L, Zimmermann G, Gandin C, et al. ISS experiments of columnar-to-equiaxed transition in
solidification processing. 141st TMS 2012 Annual Meeting and Exhibition, Orlando, FL; 2012.
Zimmermann G, Sturz L, Billia B, et al. Investigation of columnar-to-equiaxed transition in
solidification processing of AlSi alloys in microgravity – The CETSOL project. Journal of Physics:
Conference Series. December 6, 2011;327(1):012003-12014. doi: 10.1088/1742-
6596/327/1/012003.
This investigation is ongoing and additional results are pending publication.
A detailed analysis of the image and of the crystallographic orientation of the grains enables the scientist to
produce the following representation of the sample where the transition from the growth of large columnar
dendrites to smaller equiaxed grain is clearly visible (red rectangle). ESA Image.