Dendritic solidification and characterization of a succinonitrile-acetone alloy

A succinonitrile (SCN)-3.6 wt% acetone (ACE) alloy was unidirectionally solidified with a constant temperature gradient G = 5.7 K mm(-1) in the growth rate ranges V = 6.5-113 µm s(-1) and a constant growth rate V = 6.5 µm s(-1) in the temperature gradient ranges G = 3.5-5.7 K mm(-1). The primary dendrite arm spacings, secondary dendrite arm spacings, dendrite tip radius and mushy zone depth were measured as a function of growth rate and temperature gradient. Theoretical models for the dendrite arm spacing and tip radius have been compared with the experimental observations, and a comparison of our results with the current theoretical models and previous experimental results has also been made. The stability constant (σ) for this alloy system was measured and this result was compared with various similar organic transparent alloys.