Characterization of new powders used in ecological technology of shell moulds fabrication

This work summarizes the results of powders characterization in new ecological method of ceramic shell moulds fabrication for precision casting process of aircraft turbine blades using nickel superalloys.The article is first part of articles group describing whole method and complete characterization of: powders, binders, ceramic slurries, ceramic shell moulds and final summary.In the paper two types of powders were investigated: base powders and stuccos for prime coat and backup of the moulds.This method involves powders based on aluminium oxides, zirconium silicates and cobalt aluminate.To characterization of their properties SEM observations, grain size, X-ray diffraction, X-ray fluorescence and Zeta potential methods were widely used.Studies were proven that chosen powders exhibit suitable and optimal properties and met the assumed requirements for ceramic shell moulds fabrication.