Determination of interface width value in phase-field simulation of dendritic growth into undercooled melt

The influence of the interface width value on the simulation results and its dependence upon thermo-physical parameters in the phase-field simulation of dendritic growth into undercooled melt are investigated. After choosing the reasonable interface width value, the tip velocities of dendritic growth in Ni melt under different undercoolings are calculated and compared with the experimental data in order to benchmark our results. It is shown that the reasonable interface width value, which is determined by the undercooling, anisotropy, interface kinetic, and thermal diffusivity, has to be taken low enough, and the agreement of our results with experimental data verifies that the credible results can be achieved as long as the interface width value is adequately low. This paper provides the basis of determining interface width value in simulating dendritic growth into undercooled melt by phase-field approach.