In Situ Synchrotron Tomography of the Solidification of an Elektron 21 Mg Alloy

The directional solidification of an Elektron 21 magnesium alloy is investigated by in situ synchrotron radiation tomography. To visualize the process, samples are first heated to 800 °C, and melt held at this temperature for 5 min, ensure homogeneity. Subsequently, cooled with a cooling rate 10 K min−1, while every 35 s, one full tomogram acquired. evolution microstructure can be followed 3D on reconstructed tomograms. contrast between rare-earth metals Mg enables quantitatively analyze changes morphology dendritic structure during solidification. At onset detection, growth secondary dendrite arms occurs, which ends coherency point. From on, only coarsening coalescence existing occurs.