Investigations on Interface Reactions and Wettability between Melt Superalloys and Ceramic Materials

Interface reactions and wettability between melt superalloys and ceramic mould materials were investigated by using a sessile drop experiment. The wetting angle of the melt alloy on the ceramic material was calculated and the microstructure of the alloy interface was investigated by metalloscope as well as SEM. It was found that active element C in the alloy is an important factor that influences the interface reactions and the wettability. Alloys with C content lower than 0.07wt.% were almost stable on the ceramic material and no interface reaction products were found. However, alloys with C content higher than 0.16wt.% reacted with the ceramic materials. Purple reaction products were found on the alloy surface and sand adhesions were observed at the alloy-ceramic interface. In the non-reactive system, the wetting angle is in the range of 135o-150o. In the reactive system, the wetting angle is lower than 120o.