Simulation of microsegregation and microstructural evolution in directionally solidified superalloys

Abstract

A two-dimensional model for solidification and secondary phase precipitation in directionally solidified superalloys is presented, which makes use of a shape function approximation for the isothermal cross-section of the primary dendrites. The phase boundary is represented by a diffuse interface on a finite difference grid, as in phasefield methods. Thus, two-dimensional multicomponent diffusion can be calculated for all phases. Via a Fortran interface, the model is coupled to thermodynamic databases assessed using the ‘calculation of phase diagrams’ (Calphad) approach. In this way, for each time step actual data are available for partitioning, dendritic growth, and nucleation of secondary phases. The model is applied to Ni–Al–Cr as a ternary model system and to the commercial superalloy IN706.