Microstructure evolution with solidification rates in IN 738LC superalloy

Abstract

The morphological evolution and growth mechanism of solidification interface with solidification rates were investigated in the Ni-base superalloy, IN738LC, by directional solidification and quenching technique under a relatively high thermal gradient of 20.5 degrees C/mm. The planar interface of the MC-gamma eutectic was found at the low solidification of 1 mu m/s, and the dendritic interface formed above 5 mu m/s. The dendrite lengths increased as increasing increasing solidification rate, and the dendrite tip temperature was close to the liquidus temperature at 50 mu m/s. The carbide morphologies were blocky-type and rod-type in the planar interface of low solidification rates, and as the solidification rate increased, the carbide shape changed from script type to spotty type. The phase transformation temperatures from the dendrite to MC carbide and eutectic were estimated by DTA and by the solid/liquid interface morphology by directional solidification.