Abstract Scope |
Wetting, as measured by the contact angle, plays an important role in filling fine features in superalloy investment casting. The wetting of CMSX-4, a common single crystal casting alloy, has been studied. Previous studies have shown CMSX-4 is highly reactive to oxidization in normal investment casting conditions, 1x10-3 Torr vacuum pressure, which prevents measuring the contact angle. Earlier attempts at obtaining the wetting properties in a gettered argon atmosphere have been unsuccessful. In this study, two different methods: nickel electroplating and a fused silica glass encapsulation system were attempted in hopes to measure the contact angle. Nickel electroplating onto CMSX-4 of various thicknesses resulted in a thin oxide layer less than 1 micron. Therefore, glass encapsulations of the alloy were attempted to ensure no oxygen could react with the alloy. These experiments resulted in less oxidation, however, an oxide layer still formed preventing measurements of the contact angle. |