The phase field method has recently emerged as a powerful and versatile tool for mesoscale simulation of microstructure evolution in Mg and Al alloys. It permits the study of the evolution of arbitrary and complex microstructures without any presumption. This article provides a review of applications of the phase-field method in Mg and Al alloys. It covers the evolution of dendrites, the equilibrium shape of some key strengthening precipitates, the effect of pre-existing precipitates and dislocations on the distribution of precipitates, and strengthening effects caused by plate-shaped precipitates that are often encountered in Mg and Al alloys. To further improve the accuracy of the phase field simulation results and to further expand the phase field method to predict mechanical properties, the phase field method needs to be integrated with other methods to establish a multi-scale approach. This integration and its application on Mg and Al alloys are also reviewed.
This paper is part of a thematic issue on Light Alloys.
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in β1 precipitation in Mg–Nd alloys. 