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Microstructural variations induced by gravity level during directional solidification of near-eutectic iron-carbon type alloys

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Abstract

The effects of gravity on the microstructure of directionally solidified near-eutectic cast irons are studied, using a Bridgman-type automatic directional solidification furnace aboard a NASA KC-135 aircraft which flies parabolic arcs and generates alternating periods of low-g (0.01 to 0.001 g, 30 seconds long) and high-g (1.8 g, 1.5 minutes long). Results show a refinement of the interlamellar spacing of the eutectic during low-g processing of metastable Fe-C eutectic alloys. Low-g processing of stable Fe-C-Si eutectic alloys (lamellar or spheroidal graphite) results in a coarsening of the eutectic grain structure. Secondary dendrite arm spacing of austenite increases in low-g and decreases in high-g. The effectiveness of low-gravity in the removal of buoyancy-driven graphite phase segregation is demonstrated.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Metallurgical Engineering, The University of Alabama, 35812, AL

    Doru M. Stefanescu (Professor) & Michael R. Fiske (Graduate Research Assistant)

  2. NASA/Marshall Space Flight Center, 35812, AL

    Peter A. Curreri (Materials Scientist)

Authors
  1. Doru M. Stefanescu
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  2. Peter A. Curreri
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  3. Michael R. Fiske
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Stefanescu, D.M., Curreri, P.A. & Fiske, M.R. Microstructural variations induced by gravity level during directional solidification of near-eutectic iron-carbon type alloys. Metall Trans A 17, 1121–1130 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02665310

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