Effect of strong magnetic field on solid solubility and microsegregation during directional solidification of Al-Cu alloy

The effect of a strong magnetic field on the solid solubility and the microsegregation during directional solidification of Al-Cu alloy at lower growth speeds (1-10 μm/s) has been investigated experimentally. Results indicate that the magnetic field causes the reduction of the grain boundary and promotes the amalgamation of the grains. Further, measurement results reveal that the magnetic field increases the solid solubility and decreases the microsegregation. It is also found that the value of the solid solubility increases as the magnetic field and the temperature gradient increase. The modification of the solid solubility and the microsegregation under the magnetic field is attributed to the thermoelectric magnetic force acting on the solid and the interdendritic thermoelectric magnetic convection. The present work may initiate a new method to enhance the solid solubility and to eliminate the microsegregation in Al-based alloys via an applied strong magnetic field during directional solidification.