Simulation of dendritic growth in the platform region of single crystal superalloy turbine blades

A cellular automaton model of the solid-liquid interface, combined with a finite difference computation of solute diffusion has been developed to simulate single crystal solidification in molds with step changes in geometry. Simulations were carried out for columnar dendrites passing from the narrow airfoil region of a blade into the platform region, which has an increased cross-sectional area. Different shapes of isotherms moving at a constant velocity were considered in the simulations. The change in mold geometry leads to a significant increase in the undercooling in front of the dendrite tips as they spread around the mold corner. The model was applied to geometries investigated by prior authors, correctly predicting the formation of a <001> to <010> boundary observed experimentally.