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Grain Selection in Spiral Selectors During Investment Casting of Single-Crystal Turbine Blades: Part I. Experimental Investigation

A grain selector is used to select a well-aligned crystal to grow single-crystal turbine blades. Previously all selectors have been developed via a trial-and-error approach. We reveal the competitive growth and mould-metal interaction and propose a mechanical blocking model for grain selection. Together with modelling [part II], now we can optimise the design of grain selectors to cast single-crystal components. Two patents [EU patent EP 2 166 133B1, US patent: US008192564B2; inventors: Huijuan Dai, Hongbiao Dong, Neil D'Souza, Paul Witney] were granted. Semi-industrial trials to implement the patents are taking place at PCF Rolls-Royce [Paul Withey, 01332246933, paul.withey@rolls-royce.com].