Segregation factor (iron alloys)

The ratio between the contents of the the segregating elements in the iron solidified at first and the iron solidified at last is referred to as segregation factor.

Since the segregation factors do not only depend on the element concerned but mainly on the solidification speed and thus on the wall thickness, the values listed in table 1 are only trend values. The kind of segregation, however, can be evaluated very reliably, whereas elements which segregate into the iron solidifying at last have a factor >1, while segregation factors below 1 show a reverse segregation into the iron solidifying at first.

Additional references:
Ingot segregation, Reverse ingot segregation
Crystallization, Micro segregation
Gravitational segregation
Segregation factor (secondary aluminum cast alloys)

  • Table 1: Segregation factors of different elements