Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Grain Selection in Spiral Selectors During Investment Casting of Single-Crystal Components: Part II. Numerical Modeling

  • Published:
Metallurgical and Materials Transactions A Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

In this article, grain selection in spiral selectors during investment casting of single-crystal (SX) components is simulated using a cellular automaton grain structure model (CAFE) within a finite element thermal model (PROCAST). The models were validated against experimental observations and then were applied to model the effect of geometry of the spiral selectors on grain selection through a systematic approach. It was found that the efficiency of the spiral selector is significantly dependent on its geometry; the spiral becomes more efficient in selecting single grain with a smaller wax wire diameter; larger spiral rotation diameter, and smaller take-off angle. Recommendations for optimizing the spiral geometry are provided.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11

Similar content being viewed by others

Notes

  1. PROCAST is a trademark of ESI Group, Paris.

References

  1. H.J. Dai, N. D’Souza, and H.B. Dong: Metall. Mater. Trans. A, DOI:10.1007/s11661-011-0760-6.

  2. H.J. Dai, J.C. Gebelin, M. Newell, R.C. Reed, N. D’Souza, P.D. Brown, and H.B. Dong: Superalloys 2008, R.C Reed and K.A. Green, eds., Champion, PA, 2008, pp. 367–74.

  3. H.J. Dai, J.-C. Gebelin, N. D’Souza, P.D. Brown, and H.B. Dong: Int. J. Cast Met. Res., 2008, vol. 22, pp. 54–57.

  4. H.J. Dai, H.B. Dong, H.V. Atkinson, and P.D. Lee: Solid State Phenomena, 2008, vol. 139, pp. 129–34.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. N. Warnken, H. Larsson, and R.C. Reed: Mater. Sci. Technol., 2009, vol. 25, pp. 179–85.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. D. Pan, Q. Xu, B. Liu, J. Li, H. Yuan, and H. Jin: JOM, 2010, vol. 62, pp. 30–34.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. S.-M. Seo, I.-S. Kim, J.-H. Lee, C.-Y. Jo, H. Miyahara, and K. Ogi: Met. Mater. Int., 2009, vol. 15, pp. 391–98.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. L. Beltran-Sanchez and D. Stefanescu: Metall. Mater. Trans. A, 2004, vol. 35A, pp. 2471–85.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. L. Yuan and P.D. Lee: Model. Simul. Mater. Sci. Eng., 2010, vol. 18, p. 055008.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. P. Carter, D.C. Cox, C.A. Gandin, and R.C. Reed: Mater. Sci. Eng. A, 2000, vol. 280, pp. 233–46.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. H. Esaka, K. Shinozuka, and M. Tamura: Mater. Sci. Eng. A, 2005, vols. 413–414, pp. 151–55.

    Google Scholar 

  12. C.A. Gandin, J.L. Desbiolles, M. Rappaz, and P. Thevoz: Metall. Mater. Trans. A, 1999, vol. 30A, pp. 3153–65.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. C.A. Gandin, M. Rappaz, and R. Tintillier: Metall. Mater. Trans. A, 1994, vol. 25A, pp. 629–35.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. M. Rappaz and C.A. Gandin: Acta Mater., 1993, vol. 41, pp. 345–60.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. M.J. Goulette, P.D. Spilling, and R.P. Arthey: in Superalloys 1984, C.S. Kortovich and R.H. Bricknell, eds., TMS, Warrendale, PA, 1984, pp. 167–76.

    Google Scholar 

  16. P.A. Jennings: Rolls-Royce Plc., London, 1996.

  17. H. J. Dai: Ph.D. Thesis, University of Leicester, Leicester, United Kingdom, 2009.

  18. D.G. Eskin, Suyitno, and L. Katgerman: Progr. Mater. Sci., 2004, vol. 49, pp. 629–711.

Download references

Acknowledgments

One of the authors (HJD) thanks the Engineering Department, University of Leicester, and Precision Casting Foundry in Rolls-Royce plc for providing financial support for her PhD study.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Engineering, University of Leicester, Leicester, LE1 7RH, United Kingdom

    H. J. Dai (Recently Graduated PhD Student and Visiting Researcher) & H. B. Dong (Reader)

  2. Precision Casting Facility (PCF), Rolls-Royce plc, Derby, DE24 8BJ, United Kingdom

    N. D’Souza (Casting Specialist)

  3. Metallurgy and Materials PRISM2, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, United Kingdom

    J.-C. Gebelin (Technical Director) & R. C. Reed (Chair and Director)

Authors
  1. H. J. Dai
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. H. B. Dong
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. N. D’Souza
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. J.-C. Gebelin
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. R. C. Reed
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to H. J. Dai.

Additional information

Manuscript submitted October 20, 2010.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Dai, H.J., Dong, H.B., D’Souza, N. et al. Grain Selection in Spiral Selectors During Investment Casting of Single-Crystal Components: Part II. Numerical Modeling. Metall Mater Trans A 42, 3439–3446 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11661-011-0757-1

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11661-011-0757-1

Keywords

Search

Navigation