Dendritic Structure Analysis of CMSX-4 Cored Turbine Blades Roots

The microstructure of as-cast cored turbine blades roots, made of the single-crystal CMSX-4 nickel-based superalloy was investigated. Analysed blades were obtained by directional solidification technique in the industrial ALD Bridgman induction furnace. The investigations of the microstructure of blades roots were performed using SEM and X-ray techniques including diffraction topography with the use of Auleytner method. Characteristic shapes of dendrites with various arrangement were observed on the SEM images taken from the cross-sections, made transversely to the main blades axis. The differences in quality of the structure in particular areas of blades roots were revealed. Based on the results, the influence of cooling bores on blades root structure was analysed and the changes in the distribution and geometry of cooling bores were proposed.