Innovative Surfaces for Superalloys Casting Processes - INSURFCAST

Project summary

INSURFCAST aims at finding new solutions for precision investment casting processes of complex-shaped superalloy blades, through the understanding of the solid-liquid phenomena occurring at the alloy-mould interface leading to the design, engineering and application of innovative mould surfaces. The innovation objective is the reduction of expensive operations of finishing after casting, and blades rejections or failure. Successfully meeting these objectives involves Italian and Polish research laboratories using advanced experimental and theoretical methods, in strict synergy and interaction with the metal casting industry. These innovative results will be obtained through specific wetting tests, microstructural and microchemical characterization of surfaces and interfaces as well as by thermodynamic modelling of the reactivity in selected alloy-ceramic coating systems. Technological trials and post-processing analysis of castings and moulds will lead to optimized casting processes.