Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Reducing defects in remelting processes for high-performance alloys

  • Overview
  • Melting Technologies
  • Published:
JOM Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Defect reduction is one of the most important goals in continuing research to improve remelting technologies, such as vacuum arc remelting, electroslag remelting, or hearth melting (plasma or electron beam), of specialty alloys. Ingot defects may originate from several sources in these processes, such as foreign materials in the melt stock or electrode, drop-in material from the furnace interior, and solidification defects. Laboratory-and industrial-scale melting experiments are used by Sandia National Laboratories and the Specialty Metals Processing Consortium to determine relationships between melt-processing conditions and defect formation. Examples described here include freckle formation, a solidification defect in large ingots of alloy 625 (electroslag remelting), and alloy 718 (vacuum arc remelting). These examples demonstrate how integrated melting experiments, process modeling, and ingot analysis can guide the control of melting conditions to reduce defects.

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

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. L.A. Jackman, G.E. Maurer, and S. Widge, “White Spots in Superalloys,” Superalloys 718, 625, 706, and Various Derivatives, ed. E. Loria (Warrendale, PA: TMS, 1994), pp. 153–166.

    Google Scholar 

  2. B.K. Damkroger et al., “The Influence of VAR Processes and Parameters on White Spot Formation in Alloy 718,” Superalloys 718, 625, 706, and Various Derivatives, ed. E.A. Loria (Warrendale, PA: TMS, 1994), pp. 125–135.

    Google Scholar 

  3. L.A. Bertram et al., “The Macroscale Simulation of Remelting Processes,” JOM, 50 (3) (1998), pp. 18–21.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. D.K. Melgaard, R.L. Williamson, and J. Beaman, “The Control of Remelting Processes for Superalloys and Aerospace Ti Alloys,” JOM, 50 (3) (1998), pp. 13–17.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. J.S. Krafcik and J.A. Brocks, “Compositional Mapping of Large Samples Using X-Ray Fluorescence,” Conf. Proc. Development of Materials Characterization Technologies, ed. G. Vander Voort and J. Freil (Materials Park, OH: ASM, July 1995), pp. 111–118.

    Google Scholar 

  6. J.A. Brooks and J. Krafcik, “Metallurgical Analysis of a 520 mm Diameter Inconel 718 VAR Ingot,” Specialty Metals Processing Consortium Report, pp. 8–93.

  7. P. Auburtin and A. Mitchell, “Elements of Determination of a Freckling Criterion,” Proceedings of Vacuum Metallurgy Conference, VMD/AVS (Pittsburgh, PA: AVS, 1997), pp. 18–34.

    Google Scholar 

  8. L.A. Jackman, G.E. Maurer, and S. Widge, “New Knowledge About ‘White Spots’ in Superalloys,” Advanced Materials and Processes, 5 (1993), pp. 18–25.

    Google Scholar 

  9. A.F. Gaimei and B.H. Kear, Metall. Trans. A, 1 (8) (1990), pp. 2185–2192.

    Google Scholar 

  10. D. Ablitzer et al., “Mathematical Modeling of Electron Beam Remelting Process, Application to the Processing of Titanium Alloys,” Electron Beam Melting and Refining State of the Art 1992, ed. R. Bakish (Reno, NV: Bakish Materials, 1992), pp. 85–91.

    Google Scholar 

  11. J.P. Bellot et al., “Dissolution of Hard-Alpha Defects Dragged in a Bath of Liquid Titanium,” Proceedings of Vacuum Metallurgy Conference, VMD/AVS (Pittsburgh, PA: AVS, 1994), pp. 155–166.

    Google Scholar 

  12. A. Powell, U. Pal, and J.A. Van Den Avyle, “Optimal Beam Pattern to Maximize Inclusion Residence Time in an Electron Beam Melting Hearth,” Proceedings of Vacuum Metallurgy Conference, VMD/AVS (Pittsburgh, PA: AVS, 1997), pp. 78–86.

    Google Scholar 

  13. R.G. Reddy, “Kinetics of TiN Dissolution in Ti Alloys,” Electron Beam Melting and Refining State of the Art 1990, ed. R. Bakish (Reno, NV: Bakish Materials, 1990), pp. 119–127.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Sandia National Laboratories, MS 1134, 87175, Albuquerque, New Mexico

    James A. Van Den Avyle

Authors
  1. James A. Van Den Avyle
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. John A. Brooks
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Adam C. Powell
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

Editor’s Note: A hypertext-enhanced version of this article, including video of the arc gap during the vacuum remelting of alloy 718, can be found on the TMS web site at www.tms.org/pubs/journals/JOM/9803/VanDenAvyle-9803.html.

James A. Van Den Avyle earned his Ph.D. in metallurgical engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1975. He is currently a principal member of the technical staff at Sandia National Laboratories.

John A. Brooks earned his Ph.D. in metallurgy at Carnegie Mellon University in 1981. He is currently a principal member of the technical staff at Sandia National Laboratories. Dr. Brooks is also a member of TMS.

Adam C. Powell earned his Ph.D. in materials science and engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1997. He is currently a post-doctoral researcher in metallurgy at the National Institute of Standards and Technology. Dr. Powell is also a member of TMS.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Van Den Avyle, J.A., Brooks, J.A. & Powell, A.C. Reducing defects in remelting processes for high-performance alloys. JOM 50, 22–25 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11837-998-0374-7

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11837-998-0374-7

Keywords

Search

Navigation