Dendrite segregation in Ni3Al-based intermetallic single crystals alloyed with Cr, Mo, W, Ti, Co, and Re

Abstract

The character of dendrite segregation in Ni3Al-based intermetallic VKNA-type alloy single crystals with a dendritic–cellular structure is studied. Distribution coefficient kd of an alloying element (AE) in the alloy during solidification kd = cd.a.I/c0 (c0 is the AE content in the alloy (liquid phase composition), cd.a.I is the AE content in primary dendrite arms of the alloy (in the solid phase)) and segregation coefficient ks = cd.a.I/ci.d (ci.d is the AE content in the interdendritic space) have been found. A comparative study of the dendrite segregation parameters in VKNA-nype Ni3Al-based intermetallic alloys and the well-known ZhS36-type nickel superalloy shows that the intermetallic alloys satisfy to the rule deduced for two- and three-component nickel-based superalloys: if an introduced AE increases the melting temperature of the basic metal, we have kd > 1 (Co, W, Re); if it decreases the melting temperature, we have kd < 1 (Al, Ti, Cr, Mo). Dendrite segregation coefficients ks are dependent on the proportion of the AE contents in the alloys. In nickel superalloys, the dendrite segregation of aluminum, tungsten, and rhenium is higher than that in the intermetallic alloys. The dendrite segregation coefficients of tungsten and rhenium is higher by a factor of 1.5–2 than that in the VKNA-type intermetallic alloys with a low content of refractory metals. This can be due to the retardation of diffusion of refractory metals in the solid phase of a nickel superalloy highly alloyed with these elements.