Solidification under an applied electric field is a novel modification technique for refining dendritic microstructures. Due to opaque nature of metals and their high melting points, it is difficult to investigate the mechanisms by which an electric field can influence the solidification or the growth parameters. The present research used a crystalline and electrically conductive traarent model material, i.e. Succinonitrile (SCN), to investigate the influence of electric field on the growth stages of crystalline materials. To do this, first a growth chamber was designed to allow for the growth of a single SCN dendrite under an applied electric field. Growth stages of single dendrites were then recorded by an imaging system. The images and videos taken were used to investigate different growth parameters including the universal amplitude coefficient, the dendritic growth velocity, the tip radius of the dendrite, the self similar length, the distance between the side branches, the envelope width, the projection area and the contour length of the dendrite, as well as their relationship. The results showed that by applying an electric current, the growth velocity of the dendrites decreased whereas its tip radius and universal amplitude coefficient increased. As the convection flow intensifies in the presence of an electric current, the scaled envelope width (with respect to the dendritic tip) also increases following a power function. The limited growth of the side branches in the early stages of application of the electric current causes a decrease in the projection area of the dendrite which is then increased following a power function as the side branches grow larger. The contour length of the dendrite is also increased in the presence of the electric current. The results show that predications of the LGK model are not correct under an electric field and that some parameters including a modified equilibrium distribution coefficient should be introduced to increase the accuracy of predictions.
