Optical device dedicated to the non-destructive observation and characterization of the solidification of bulk transparent alloys<i>in situ</i>and in real time

Abstract

An optical system has been developed to characterize transparent organic alloys during their directional solidification in situand in real time inside bulk samples with a high aspect ratio. Standard solidification experiments are performed within thin glass slides where solidification behaviour is modified compared with bulk solidification due to the space constraint. On the other hand, the interface can be easily observed via a microscope. For bulk samples, a more complex system had to be implemented. We designed a specific glass observation cell and an adapted solidification furnace. Optical elements were integrated inside the glass observation cell containing the solidifying alloy.