Measurements of the bulk velocity during solidification of metallic alloys

The melt convection during solidification has a considerable influence on the nucleation process and the grain structure. The ultrasound Doppler velocimetry (UDV) was applied to measure the bulk flow in a Sn-15wt%Pb alloy solidified directionally from a water cooled copper chill. The flow is driven by a rotating magnetic field. We present velocity profiles measured during the solidification process. Moreover, from the UDV measurements the current position of the solidification front can be estimated.