Controlling crystal orientation of Ni-based single crystal superalloy by inclined seeding method

An inclined seeding method for Ni-based single crystal superalloy with a specific orientation is presented. The evolution of solidification microstructure and its mechanism are studied during the preparation of single crystals by this method through experiment and numerical simulation. The principle of controlling the crystal orientation of single crystal castings by inclined seeding crystals is discussed. The results show that single crystal castings with specific orientations can be produced by changing the orientation relationship between the 〈001〉 orientation seed and the casting. During the preparation process of single crystal， the seed is partially un-melted， and the un-melted interface is perpendicular to the seed axial. The melting alloy grows epitaxially along the un-melted seed to form a single crystal casting during the directional solidification process.