The Role of Solidified Phases on the Hot Cracking of a Large-Size GH4742 Superalloy Ingot

The effect of solidified phases on the hot cracking behaviour of a large-size GH4742 superalloy ingot produced using vacuum induction melting (VIM) is investigated in order to improve the quality of the final product. The results show that the solidification order of the ingot is gamma matrix, MC carbide, eta phase and gamma ' phase. Among them, the MC carbide and the eta phase solidified in the mushy zone. The volume fraction of both the eta phase and the MC carbide in the cracked zone is higher than that in the non-cracked zone, and a significant number of eta phases are distributed near the hot cracks. The formation of solidified phases not only induces stress concentration at eta phase/gamma matrix interfaces but also reduces the ability of liquid feeding during solidification, thus promoting hot crack formation. It is believed that by controlling the segregation degree of both Nb and Ti, the volume fraction of eta phases and MC carbides can be reduced to prevent hot cracking of the GH4742 superalloy VIM ingot.