Reaction between Ti and boron nitride based investment shell molds used for casting titanium alloys

The aim of this paper was to study the reaction between a Ti-6Al-4V alloy and boron nitride based investment shell molds used for invest- ment casting titanium. In BN based investment shell molds, the face coatings are made of pretreated hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) with a few yttria (Y2O3) and colloidal yttria as binder. The Ti-6Al-4V alloy was melted in a controlled atmosphere induction furnace with a segment water-cooled copper crucible. The cross-section of reaction interface between Ti alloys and shell mold was investigated by electron probe micro-analyzer (EPMA) and microhardness tester. The results show that the reaction is not serious, the thickness of the reacting layer is about 30-50 μm, and the thickness of α-case is about 180-200 μm. Moreover the α-case formation mechanism was also discussed.