Phase field model for strong interfacial energy anisotropy of HCP materials

Based on the Karma model and the Eggleston regularization technique of the strong interfacial energy anisotropy, a phase-field model was established for HCP materials. An explicit finite difference numerical method was used to solve phase field model and simulate the dendrite growth behaviors of HCP materials. Results indicate that the dendrite morphology presents obvious six-fold symmetry, and discontinuity in the variation of interface orientation occurs, resulting in a fact that the corners were formed at the tips of the main stem and side branches. When the interfacial energy anisotropy strength is lower than the critical value(1/35), the steady-state tip velocity of dendrite increases with anisotropy as expected. As the anisotropy strength crosses the critical value, the steady-state tip velocity drops down by about 0.89%. With further increase in anisotropy strength, the steady-state tip velocity increases and reaches the maximum value at anisotropy strength of 0.04, then decreases.