Processing and microstructure of investment casting turbine blade NITAC in-situ composites

Directional solidification was used to produce turbine blades by the Bridgman method. NITAC alloys with various carbon contents were investigated; the optimum range was found to be 0.40 to 0.48%. Within this range, except for the blade locking piece edges, the blade structure consisted predominantly of aligned eutectics. The in- situ eutectics were aligned tantalum fibers embedded in a γ- phase matrix. The blades were produced using an alloy displacement rate of 1.86 x 10 ^{- 6} m/s. Measurements of fiber spacings along the blade height indicated that the rate of displacement of the solidification front exhibited some variations. These variations were closely associated with dimensional changes in the turbine blade cross sections.