Comparison of phase-field and cellular automaton models for dendritic solidification in Al–Cu alloy

Results of a cellular automaton model and a phase field model are compared for simulations of dendritic solidification of an Al–4wt%Cu alloy, two- and three-dimensionally at different undercoolings. For the 2D problem, quantitative comparison of steady state dendrite tip velocities with the Lipton Glicksman Kurz model reveals a closer agreement of the phase field results as compared to the CA results. In contrast, the 3D simulation exhibits a better match of CA results with the model, as the influence of the artifacts from the coarse grid of the CA model decreases. In a comparison of the simulated dendrites’ morphologies, the differences in two and three dimensions respectively, are quantified especially concerning primary arm thickness and secondary arm geometry and spacing.