Published online by Cambridge University Press: 21 February 2011
In the solidification of Fe-Ni droplets (≤ 30 at.% Ni), the selection of different microstructures is dominated by the competition between the bcc and ccp phases. In drop-tube experiments ccp is the primary phase in some dilute (up to 7at% Ni) alloys although the bcc phase is favoured by a lower free energy and by a lower interfacial energy with the liquid. Competitive dendrite growth is a possible explanation for the formation of primary ccp. Comprehensive thermodynamic (CALPHAD) and kinetic modelling is undertaken to understand the growth competition. The origin of the observed primary phases is discussed.