THE SCOPE AND TRENDS OF DEVELOPMENTS IN RAPID SOLIDIFICATION TECHNOLOGY

Abstract

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the scope and trends of developments in rapid solidification technology (RST), which is a young field. Not much is expected because RST is synonymous with structure control. The research coverage is quite unbalanced with heavy overconcentration in some areas and near total neglect in others. With some exception, industry seems reluctant to make positive moves both into RS particulate-related equipment and facilities and into alloy programs. Despite the youthfulness of RST, a significant number of alloys and products have already emerged as commercial entities. There are growth prospects in glassy alloys, microcrystalline alloys, and the combination of the two. The bigger field would be based on the microcrystalline state in part because it is less composition restricted. RST offers almost unlimited potential for new structures, new alloys, and new processing and processes. Joining of RST-based products has been almost totally neglected. Lack of an advanced joining technology proves to be a major barrier to growth. High conductivity, high strength, high temperature copper-base alloys based on the systems Cu–Zr, Cu–Cr–Zr, C–Ni–Ti have been produced from RS–PM alloys that have excellent strength and ductility properties from 20°–450°C. Considerably stronger stainless steels are possible, with promise of improved intermediate temperature creep strength.