Advances in computational modeling of microstructure evolution in solidification of aluminum alloys

In the past decade, extensive efforts had been dedicated to explore simulation models of microstructure formation during solidification of alloys. Numerical simulation of microstructure evolution can provide us the information for predicting and controlling solidification microstructures, and also the information for improving the fundamental understanding of solidification mechanisms. This paper gives an overview of cellular automaton based models and of the derived front tracking model for the simulation of meso- and micro-scale microstructure evolution during solidification of aluminum alloys. The main achievements in this field are presented by examples encompassing a wide variety of problems including dendritic growth in binary and ternary alloys, dendritic growth with melt convection, and eutectic solidification. A particular emphasis is made on the quantitative aspects of simulations.