Upward or downward solidification of a binary alloy inside a rectangular enclosure

This paper presents experimental findings on the phenomenon of solidification of a binary alloy in a rectangular test cell. The solidification is carried out with aqueous ammonium chloride solution with solidification from the bottom (upward solidification) or the top (downward solidification), respectively. Solidification experiments are carried out over a wide range of initial composition of binary alloy solution from hypoeutectic to hypereutectic concentration. The growth of the solid and mushy regions and the interactions of convection with the phase fronts at different initial concentrations of 8%, 16%, 24% and 32% of ammonium chloride are discussed.