Solidification Microstructure-Processing Maps: Theory and Application

Solidification processing is a very important materials fabrication technique leading to different microstructures and micro-defects which control the properties and behaviour of many materials. A close control of the microstructure is therefore of utmost importance for the quality of the product. In the present article a combined approach of microstructure mapping with process mapping is developed which allows a presentation of processing windows leading to specific microstructures for given alloy compositions and processing conditions. This approach has reached a state of development where the microstructure modelling is connected to large thermodynamic data bases. This makes the solidification microstructure-processing maps useful for industrial purposes, for example for the laser treatment of complex single crystalline superalloys.