Scheil Calculator

In Graphical Mode, you use the Scheil Calculator to set up the various Scheil solidification simulations outlined in more detail in Scheil-Gulliver Solidification Calculations.

The Scheil Calculator is also used in combination with the specialized Add-on Modules such as the Diffusion Module (DICTRA) and Additive Manufacturing (AM) Module.

The available Scheil-Gulliver solidification simulations are classic Scheil, Scheil with back diffusion in the primary phase, or Scheil with solute trapping. There are also configuration options available with fast diffusers for the classic and back diffusion models.

There is also connectivity to the Diffusion Module (DICTRA) and homogenization where you collect data from a Scheil solidification calculation, which is then used as part of the kinetic homogenization simulation of segregated composition profiles.

Scheil in Graphical Mode vs Console Mode

The Scheil with back diffusion feature is only available for systems with diffusion data, i.e. this model requires the use of a mobility database.

In Thermo-Calc, the Scheil calculation allows the calculation of:

  • The solidification range of an alloy.
  • Depression of the solidus temperature due to segregation.
  • Composition of the last liquid to disappear in segregation pockets.
  • Phases formed on final solidification in segregation pockets.
  • The composition gradient in the primary solid phase(s) (segregation profile).
  • Solute trapping to simulate deviation from local equilibrium for the primary phase
  • Kinetic homogenization simulation of segregated composition profile (diffusion calculations)

There are several options to get started with a Scheil simulation using the Scheil Calculator.

  • On the My Project node icon My Project window under Getting Started, use the Quick Start → Scheil Solidification Simulation option to set up a Classic Scheil simulation. This adds a tree of nodes where you can then choose to simulate using the other options on the Scheil Calculator. See Creating a Project with the Quick Start Wizard.
  • Use the Scheil Solidification template under Non-Equilibrium to add a project tree consisting of System Definer, Scheil Calculator, and Plot Renderer nodes. See Getting Started Links and Templates.
  • Use the Homogenization template under Non-Equilibrium to add a project tree consisting of System Definer, Scheil Calculator, Diffusion Calculator, and two Plot Renderer nodes. See Getting Started Links and Templates.

    When working with the Homogenization template, this also includes a Diffusion Calculator, which may require additional licenses to run with more than three components. Information, such as the Scheil segregation profiles available with the Diffusion Calculator, is described with that content.

  • Build your own tree by right-clicking and adding nodes from My Project node icon My Project. Then go to Scheil Calculator: Configuration Window Settings to enter settings directly.
  • Open an example and use this as a template.
  • When you are working with the Additive Manufacturing (AM) Module, a Scheil Calculator is also included with one of the Additive Manufacturing Templates or can be added as a predecessor to the AM Calculator, where it is used to generate the materials property data required for these simulations.

By default, a Plot Renderer successor to a Scheil Calculator has the plot axes defined as Mole fraction of solid (X-axis) and Temperature Celsius (Y-axis). When these default axes are used and the setting Include one axis equilibrium calculation is enabled (see Scheil Calculator: Advanced Options), the results of solidification under equilibrium conditions are automatically plotted in the same diagram as the Scheil calculations.