Influence of spiral crystal selector on crystal orientation of single crystal superalloy

To increase efficiency and improve performance, reducing cost and emissions, advanced single crystal Ni-based superalloys are required in aerospace propulsion and power generating gas turbines. With the development of alloy, significant improvements in casting techniques have been achieved by introducing the directionally solidified (DS) casting process followed by single crystal (SX) technique. The deviation of preferred orientation of single crystal superalloys is one of the most important defects in casting. In directional solidification equipment with high temperature gradient, single crystal specimens of DZ417G alloy were prepared successfully by the modified Bridgeman method with spiral grain selector. The orientation was investigated by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD) and electron backscattered diffraction (EBSD). The results show that the crystal selector with a smaller angle can effectively reduce the deviation of preferred orientation.