Computation of partial equilibrium solidification with complete interstitial and negligible substitutional solute back diffusion

A simple numerical scheme is presented to simulate partial equilibrium solidification with complete interstitial and negligible substitutional solute back diffusion in multi-component and multi-phase systems. Based on this scheme, a computing tool capable of using Thermo-Calc databases directly has been developed for the estimation of solidification behavior of steels and other interstitial-containing alloys. Agreements between calculated and experimental as well as DICTRA results have been obtained on the microsegregation, fraction of eutectic, and freezing range of several steels, This suggests that the partial equilibrium assumption and proposed numerical scheme are reasonable and satisfactory, and confirms that the carbon back diffusion plays a very important role in the solidification of steels.