Prediction of Solidification and Microstructure of Inconel Alloy Using Numerical Simulation

Test castings of Inconel 713LC nickel alloy were prepared by pouring into shell molds in vacuum furnace. The temperature was experimentally measured in the course of solidification and cooling, and the structure was evaluated in as-cast condition. Applying thermal insulation of shells, the dependence of the structure of castings on cooling rate was monitored on test castings. The solidification pattern was solved numerically, using the ProCAST simulation program. Parameters for the simulation of as-cast structure were sought using the CAFÉ module of the ProCAST program. Calculation parameters were established with the experimentally determined temperature curves and structure.