model simulation and experiment is reasonably strong. The columnar length is approximately
equal to the distance the furnace is moving at a slower velocity and, therefore, it is possible to
suggest that CET is related to the velocity jump and resulting temperature change. More studies
of alloy systems without grain refiners are being conducted, and the influences of grain refiners
need to be evaluated further (Mirihanage 2011).
PUBLICATION(S)
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 Conference Series: Material Science
and Engineering. January 12, 2012;27(1):012010. doi: 10.1088/1757-899X/27/1/012010.
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.
These investigations are ongoing and additional results are pending publication.