Solidification Simulation of Investment Castings of Single Crystal Hollow Turbine Blade

The three-dimensional solidification simulation of the investment castings of single crystal hollow turbine blade at the withdrawal rates of 2 mm/min, 4.5 mm/min and 7 mm/min has been performed with the finite element thermal analysis. The calculated results are in accordance with the experimental ones. The results show that with the increase of withdrawal rate the concave curvature of the liquidus isotherm is larger and larger, and the temperature gradients of the blades increase. No effects of withdrawal rate on the distribution of the temperature gradients of the starter and helical grain selector of the blades are observed at withdrawal rates of 2 mm/min, 4.5 mm/min and 7 mm/min. The relatively high temperature gradient between 500℃/cm and 1000℃/cm in the starter and helical grain selector is obtained at three withdrawal rates.