2134/27294 Laszlo Granasy Laszlo Granasy Laszlo Ratkai Laszlo Ratkai Attila Szallas Attila Szallas Balint Korbuly Balint Korbuly Gyula Toth Gyula Toth Laszlo Kornyei Laszlo Kornyei Tamas Pusztai Tamas Pusztai Phase-field modeling of polycrystalline solidification, from needle crystals to spherulites: a review Loughborough University 2017 untagged Mechanical Engineering Mathematical Sciences not elsewhere classified 2017-11-06 11:42:07 Journal contribution https://repository.lboro.ac.uk/articles/journal_contribution/Phase-field_modeling_of_polycrystalline_solidification_from_needle_crystals_to_spherulites_a_review/9377315 Advances in the orientation-field-based phase-field (PF) models made in the past are reviewed. The models applied incorporate homogeneous and heterogeneous nucleation of growth centers and several mechanisms to form new grains at the perimeter of growing crystals, a phenomenon termed growth front nucleation. Examples for PF modeling of such complex polycrystalline structures are shown as impinging symmetric dendrites, polycrystalline growth forms (ranging from disordered dendrites to spherulitic patterns), and various eutectic structures, including spiraling two-phase dendrites. Simulations exploring possible control of solidification patterns in thin films via external fields, confined geometry, particle additives, scratching/piercing the films, etc. are also displayed. Advantages, problems, and possible solutions associated with quantitative PF simulations are discussed briefly.