About this Abstract |
| Meeting |
2026 TMS Annual Meeting & Exhibition
|
| Symposium
|
Chemistry and Physics of Interfaces
|
| Presentation Title |
Solute-Driven Solidification Dynamics in Al–Cu Alloys: An Analog for Sea Ice Formation |
| Author(s) |
Irina Nizovtseva, Stephanie Lippmann |
| On-Site Speaker (Planned) |
Irina Nizovtseva |
| Abstract Scope |
The formation of false-bottom sea ice is explored using analog experiments with Al–Cu alloys. In contrast to conventional ice formation driven by thermal undercooling, the solidification process here is governed exclusively by compositional gradients. Experiments were conducted under strictly isothermal conditions: phase change occurred solely due to solute diffusion. The experimental setup was designed to analyze the motion of the solid–liquid interface and the development of the mushy zone where both phases coexist. An analytical model was formulated treating the system as a one-dimensional problem involving solid, mushy, liquid phases, governed by equilibrium conditions and solute conservation across moving boundaries. The results show the imposed solute gradient leads to steady interface propagation. The observed phase-boundary kinetics and mushy-zone evolution agree well with the analytical model. This integrated experimental and modeling framework offers new insight into solute-driven interface dynamics, advancing understanding of solidification processes analogous to false-bottom ice formation. |
| Proceedings Inclusion? |
Planned: |
| Keywords |
Solidification, Phase Transformations, Modeling and Simulation |