What occurs during dendritic growth?

Dendritic growth refers to a solidification phenomenon observed in metals and other materials where the structure of the solid formed resembles tree-like branches or crystals. During this process, as a material begins to solidify from a molten state, nucleation occurs, leading to the formation of the initial solid particles. These particles or crystals begin to grow, and as they cool and solidify, they can branch out into dendrites, which are tree-like structures.

The correct choice highlights that solidifying particles, represented by the dendritic structure, actively branch out and fill the available space within a grain. This branching is a key characteristic of dendritic growth and leads to complex microstructures in the solidified material. Such structures can influence the mechanical properties of the metal.

Key aspects regarding the context of the other options include:

• The first choice involves melting and reforming into a single phase, but dendritic growth occurs in the solidification process where crystallization happens, not melting.

• The third option mentions metals mixing completely without phase separation, which is not representative of dendritic growth, as this process involves distinct solid phases forming from the liquid.

• The fourth option refers to larger metal grains absorbing smaller particles, which could relate to grain growth rather than the specific