Microstructural studies on rapidly solidified alloy 600

摘要

Rapid solidification processing (RSP) is known to generate unusual microstructures which may be assoc iated with several superior properties as compared with'the conventionally processed materials [1]. Due to its many desirable effects on microstructure, RSP is being increasingly used in the processing of many types of alloys, including the nickel based superalloys [2]. Although some of the microstructural features resulting from RSP often bring about improvements in properties, the RSP microstructuje in those commercial alloys, which were designed to be used in the conventionally cast and wrought condition, do no necessarily show vastly superior properties as compared to those associated with the designed microstrueture [2,4]. A comparative study of the microstructures developed by conventional processing and by RSP of the same alloy, with a view to delineating the differences in features such as the degree of inhomogeneity, structural refinement and phase stability, may be helpful in identifying alloys which rapid solidification can introduce significant improvements in properties [4].