An analytical approach to the stress development in the coherent dendritic
network during solidification is proposed. Under the assumption that stress
es are developed in the network as a result of the friction resisting shrin
kage-induced interdendritic fluid flow, the model predicts the stresses in
the solid. The calculations reflect the expected effects of postponed dendr
ite coherency, slower solidification conditions, and variations of eutectic
volume fraction and shrinkage. Comparing the calculated stresses to the me
asured shear strength of equiaxed mushy zones shows that it is possible for
the stresses to exceed the strength, thereby resulting in reorientation or
collapse of the dendritic network.