Transient growth effects during space solidification experiments in a Bridgman configuration

This paper reviews the different mechanisms involved during a Bridgman solidification. It is demonstrated that during a space experiment, due to the lack of time it is not possible to wait for steady states for all the phenomena considered. So a non steady state analysis is needed. Mass and heat transfers are considered as well as kinetics effects. Different coupling effects are emphasized. It is shown that fine measurements during space experiments are needed in order to verify these important transient stages. One kind of possible experiments is proposed to enable us a better understanding of the solidification laws.