Unidirectional solidification process and apparatus therefor

摘要

An apparatus (50) and method for casting an alloy using a unidirectional casting technique. The apparatus (50) includes a mold (52) adapted to contain a molten quantity (56) of an alloy, a primary heating zone (60) adapted to heat the mold (52) and the molten alloy therein to a temperature above the liquidus temperature of the alloy, a cooling zone (64) adapted to cool the mold (52) and molten alloy therein to a temperature below the solidus temperature of the alloy and thereby yield the unidirectionally-solidified casting, and an insulation zone (62) between the primary heating zone (60) and the cooling zone (64). The apparatus (50) also has a secondary heating zone (66) separated from the insulation zone (62) by the primary heating zone (60). The secondary heating zone (66) maintains the mold (52) and the molten alloy therein at a temperature below the liquidus temperature of the alloy. The temperatures within the primary and secondary heating zones (60,66) are individually set and controlled.