Directional solidification in immiscible systems - The influence of gravity

The possibility of producing aligned fibrous composite microstructures with a high volume fraction of the immiscible phase, L2, through the directional solidification of hypermonotectic alloys is examined. Early work suggests that low gravity conditions are necessary to prevent sedimentation of the more dense L2 phase. However, if convective flows result, they disrupt the formation of the desired fibrous microstructure and produce a disperse structure. The need for long-duration low-g experiments is emphasized.