Effects of non-grayness on melting and solidification of a semi-infinite, semi-transparent medium

The effects of nongrayness on the melting (solidification) of a semiinfinite, semitransparent medium is investigated by using a phase-change model that allows for the existence of a two-phase zone between the purely liquid and purely solid regions. The two-phase zone is the region of local melting caused by the penetration of radiation into the isothermal region. The effects of isotropic and anisotropic scattering of radiation on melting are illustrated. Numerical results presented for the melting and solidification of sapphire show that nongrayness significantly affects the rate of propagation of the melt (solidification) front.