Solidification is a process that never happens in equilibrium. Formation of segregated regions is inevitable and determines further process steps and materials properties. OpenPhase resolves the distribution of elements at any point in the simulation using its innovative multi-component diffusion model. Thermodynamic and kinetic data can be obtained from Thermo-Calc®, OpenCALPHAD or supplied directly by the user.

OpenPhase includes a powerful Lattice-Boltzmann solver, which can be used concurrently with the phase-field simulation or sequentially, such as in this example. Here, a dendrite forest was obtained from a Mg-5%Al-cast alloy solidification simulation. Then, the permeability of this dendrite forest for the melt was evaluated using the Lattice Boltzmann solver. This simulation yields valuable information on the flowability of the melt, depending on the microstructure morphology and solid-liquid fraction.

OpenPhase excels at simulating microstructure evolution under the consideration of various physical effects. In this example, creep in Ni-base superalloys at 950°C and 350 MPa stress is simulated. The microstructure evolution is determined by the interaction of Interface kinetics, Diffusion, Plasticity and Elasticity. All simulated quantities are available at all times in the simulation and yield quantities such as creep curve, phase fraction, element distribution, etc.

The simulation approach is very general and can be transferred to different material systems and processes where phase transformation and/or plasticity are of interest, such as tensile tests or heat treatments.
 

For most metallic materials good mechanical properties are of paramount importance. These properties are determined by the grains, phases, precipitates and defects that make up the microstructure. In nickel-base superalloys gamma- and gamma'-phase form a unique microstructure with gamma' cubes embedded in a gamma matrix. This microstructure evolves during creep deformation and yields outstanding creep properties.

OpenPhase facilitates diffusion, phase transformation, elasticity and plasticity modules to simulate creep deformation in Ni-base superalloys precisely on a microstructural level. Spatial and temporal resolution of all simulated quantities (e.g. plastic strain in figures b and c) enables analysis of microstructural processes. The macroscopic effect of these processes is visualized in the creep curve (figure a).

The simulation approach is very general and can be transferred to different material systems and processes where phase transformation and/or plasticity are of interest, such as tensile tests or heat treatments.