Lamellar eutectic growth under forced convection: A phase-field lattice-Boltzmann study based on a modified Jackson-Hunt theory

Effect of forced convection on the lamellar eutectic growth was investigated by combining a modified Jackson-Hunt theory and a phase-field lattice-Boltzmann approach. Under the consideration of the asymmetrical tilting pattern and curvature effect, the classical eutectic Jackson-Hunt theory [Jackson and Hunt, Trans. Metall. Soc. AIME 236, 1129 (1966)] was modified to better understand the physical mechanism driving the eutectic growth with convection. Results showed that the eutectic growth velocity increased linearly with increasing undercooling and exhibited a parabola trend versus the inverse of initial lamellar spacing. The flow induced by a horizontal external force tilted the eutectic lamellae by altering the solute distribution near the interface. Under weak convection, the phase-field lattice-Boltzmann simulation results agreed well with those predicted by the modified Jackson-Hunt theory. But under strong convection, the consistency of the two results was largely dependent on the alloy parameters and convection intensity.