A suggested effective method for unidirectional solidification under rotating magnetic field in the space experiments

In order to save costs and time during the unidirectional solidification experiments, it is necessary to obtain more and more information by solidifying one sample in a rotating magnetic field (RMF) to be performed on the space station. The macro- and microstructure developing during solidification is significantly influenced by the intensity and frequency of magnetic field, the solid/liquid interface velocity as well as the temperature gradient. A method by which one of the aforementioned four parameters can repeatedly be changed during the solidification is described. By this method, the transient phenomena occurring during parameters modification can also be observed. The results of earth experiments carried out by this method with Al7Si1Fe alloy are presented.