Analysis of Microstructural Evolution During Directional Solidification of Ni-Base Superalloy CM247LC

The Ni-base superalloy CM247LC was directionally solidified (DS) using the Bridgman-type furnace to understand the effect of the chill plate on the microstructural evolution, such as dendrite arm spacing, microporosity, and MC-type carbide. The DS process was also modeled by the PROCAST to predict the solidification rate, thermal gradient, and resultant cooling rate in the entire length of the DS specimen. Due to the quenching effects of chill plate, four distinct areas were found to form in the specimen, in which the solidification rate was changed, during DS at a given withdrawal rate of 0.083 mm/s. Among the microstructural features investigated, the dendrite arm spacings and average size of the MC-type carbide near the chill plate were found to be influenced by the quenching effect of the chill plate. However, no significant influence was found on the size and volume fraction of microporosity, and the volume fraction of the MC-type carbide. The relationship between the microstructural features and the solidification variables was also analyzed and discussed on the basis of a combination of experimental and modeling results.