Simulation Analysis Techniques for Investment Casting Process of Ni-Base Superalloy Components

Development of the Ni-base single crystal (SC) superalloy, named MGA1700 (TMS-1700), has been carried out in a collaborative research between National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS) and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI). Besides the excellent creep strength and dwell thermo-mechanical fatigue strength, the newly developed alloy for high-efficiency gas turbine blade has no expensive elements such as Rhenium. On the other hand, the mechanical properties or manufacturing yield of SC superalloy blades is quite sensitive to casting process conditions. Therefore, in this study, simulation analysis techniques for various steps of investment casting process, including the solidification process and the mold manufacturing process, have been established to find adequate casting conditions. These analysis techniques can be also applied to other components, such as directionally solidified (DS) rotating blade or conventional casting (CC) rotating blade/stationary vane.