Rapid solidification of Ni3Al by Osprey deposition

A Ni3Al-based alloy containing Cr is examined after preparation by Osprey deposition. The microstructure consists of solidified spherical regions showing cellular segregation interspersed with regions of finer, equiaxed segregation morphology. The segregation structure is characterized by cell interiors rich in aluminum and poor in chromium, while the cell walls are poor in aluminum and rich in chromium. This segregation pattern is the inverse of that expected, based on earlier melt spinning experience, and is explained in terms of the undercooling of the melt prior to solidification. Very high temperature annealing is required to homogenize the material, despite the use of this rapid solidification process for material fabricatio