Simulation of Solutal Remelting

Starting with an interface between a solid and a melt with compositions far off equilibrium, calorimetric experiments were conducted in order to determine melting rates due to solutal supersaturation. Good agreement was found for melting rates calculated from a heat balance and from the volume loss of the solid sample. However, simulation calculations using macroscopic and microscopic models assuming local equilibrium at the interface predict melting rates that are significantly lower than those determined experimentally. After introducing a quantitative description of deviations from equilibrium, the simulations predict melting rates that agree well with the ones determined by the heat balance and volume loss methods.