Influence of constituents of shell mold on the morphology and chemical composition of carbides occurring in IN 713C superalloy castings

IN 713C cast superalloy is investigated in the work. Light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy observations, and quantitative microstructural measurements of carbides are needed to display if there are differences in carbides occurring in IN 713C casts from two kinds of shell mold materials used during casting. The impact of major constituents of two shell molds (zirconium silicate (ZrSiO₄) and aluminosilicate (mAl₂O ₃*nSiO₂)) on the morphology, size, and volume fraction as well as chemical composition of carbides in the investigated castings of the IN 713C superalloy was presented. The results affirmed that the conditions of crystallization (the variable wall thickness of the casting and material of the shell) of the IN 713C castings influence the microstructure, especially the size, morphology, and volume fraction of carbides in the material.