Simulation of the spinodal phase separation dynamics of the Bi-Zn system

In the phase separation occurring at the miscibility gap (at the spinodal region) of an alloy a discrete symmetry is spontaneously broken and a domain wall network is formed. Field theory simulations are often used to study the dynamics of topological defects networks appearing in different physical contexts. In this work, we focus on the dynamics of the two immiscible liquids appearing on the phase diagram of the Bi-Zn system, one of the basic systems of lead free solders. We use phase field simulations to quantitatively simulate the dynamics of the two liquids separation in the Bi-Zn system, at different temperatures and for different concentrations. We obtain the miscibility gap curve and the domain morphologies of the system as a function of time. temperature and component concentrations using simulations. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.