Microstructural transitions and growth features in rapid solidification: a comparison between experimental fact and quantitative prediction

Abstract

Microstructural transition has been recognised as a ubiquitous feature of rapid solidification more or less from the outset but progress in the interpretation of such behaviour has been limited until relatively recently. The present contribution reviews this recent progress in understanding based on comparison of quantitative predictions with experimental observations made under conditions of rapid solidification that were well- controlled and well-characterized. It is concluded that, while the extent of agreement between prediction and observation is encouraging so far, further progress will depend on the continued acquisition of definitive experimental information to provide critical tests of theory where no useful measurements presently exist.