Controlled Temperature Gradient Improves Freezing Alloy

Controlled gradient of temperature in advancing zone of solidification increases fatigue life of directionally solidified nickel-base superalloy. Improved solidification process eliminates, reduces, or controls microstructure of deleterious brittle phases, including carbides and gamma/gamma prime eutectic. Also reduces microsegregation and makes discrete carbides (if present) become fine and blocky. Expected to improve properties of other alloys, of both directionally-solidified polycrystalline and single-crystal forms.