Investigation on selection crystal behavior of a Ni₃Al-based single crystal superalloy IC6SX

The grain selection occurring during the solidification of a Ni3Al-base single crystal superalloy IC6SX prepared by spiral grain selection method was studied systematically. Results showed that the equiaxed grains were transformed into columnar grains within starter block and most of columnar grains then will be eliminated. The crystal were formed after the remained columnar grains were eliminated through preferred growth and coupling of spiral structure in Spiral grain selection. The results can explain the competitive growth mechanism of the spiral grain selection and can be used to optimize process design to lay an important foundation for improving preparation processes of single crystal superalloy.