Cross-sections Of Castings Research Articles

Modelling of Grain Microstructure of IN-713C Castings

This paper provides an analysis of experimental research results and numerical simulation of grain microstructure of turbine blade castings made of the IN-713C nickel superalloy. The numerical simulation was carried out by applying the ProCAST program. The geometric description of model assemblies and three-dimensional ceramic mould enclosure was developed. The boundary conditions as well as the thermal and physical coefficients for alloy and ceramic shell mould were selected for simulation purposes. The parameters of nucleation law based on normal (Gaussian) distribution as well as the values of equation coefficients were established in order to determine the growth rate of dendrite tips for the IN-713C alloy, depending on the undercooling. The experimental verification of boundary conditions for numerical simulation was carried out by comparison with the results of temperature distribution measurements performed in the castings. The analysis of grain microstructure was conducted on the surface and cross-sections of castings. The forecasted grain microstructure was determined using the CAFE module (ProCAST software). The cast microstructure as well as the value of grain growth and nucleation coefficients, which were used for numerical simulation of solidification process, were experimentally verified.

Casting Pure Titanium into Commercial Phosphate-bonded SiO2 Investment Molds

Pure titanium was cast into five different phosphate-bonded SiO2 investment mold materials (at 350 degrees C) with an argon-arc melting and pressure casting machine. The mesh castability, the fit of the MOD inlay castings, and the Knoop hardness and the micro-structure in cross-sections of castings were examined. The setting and thermal expansion, the compressive strength, and the X-ray diffraction analysis of the investments were also measured. The castability, the fit, and the thickness of the reacted layer differed in degree among these investments, in spite of the same phosphate-bonded SiO2-type investment. A significant correlation was obtained between the thermal expansion (at 350 degrees C) and the casting accuracy.