Static and dynamic heterogeneity of disordered system is one of the current topics in materials science. In disordered ferroelectric materials with random fields, dynamic polar nanoregions (PNRs) appear at Burns temperature and freeze into nanodomain state below Curie temperature (T_C). This state is very sensitive to external electric field and aging by which it gradually switches into macrodomain state. However, the role of PNRs in such states belowT_Cis still a puzzling issue of materials science. Electric field and aging effects of uniaxial ferroelectric Sr_xBa_1−xNb₂O₆(x = 0.40, SBN40) single crystals were studied using Brillouin scattering to clarify the critical nature of PNRs in domain states belowT_C. On field heating, a broad anomaly in longitudinal acoustic (LA) velocity at low temperature region was due to an incomplete alignment of nanodomains caused by the interaction between PNRs. A sharp anomaly nearT_Cwas attributed to the complete switching of nanodomain to macrodomain state owing to the lack of interaction among PNRs. After isothermal aging belowT_C, the noticeable increase of LA velocity was observed. It was unaffected by cyclic temperature measurements up toT_C, and recovered to initial state outside of a narrow temperature range above and below aging temperature.

An analysis of the defects in the vicinity of the selector–root connection plane occurring during the creation of single-crystalline turbine blades made of CMSX-6 Ni-based superalloy was performed. X-ray diffraction topography, scanning electron microscopy, and positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy were used. Comparing the area of undisturbed axial growth of dendrites to the area of lateral growth concluded that the low-angle boundaries-like (LAB-like) defects were created in the root as a result of unsteady-state lateral growth of some secondary dendrite arms in layers of the root located directly at the selector–root connection plane. Additional macroscopic low-angle boundaries (LABs) with higher misorientation angles were created as a result of concave curvatures of liquidus isotherm in platform-like regions near selector–root connections. Two kinds of vacancy-type defects, mono-vacancies and vacancy clusters, were determined in relation to the LABs and LAB-like defects. Only mono-vacancies appeared in the areas of undisturbed axial growth. Reasons for the creation of macroscopic LABs and LAB-like defects, and their relationships with vacancy-type defects were discussed.

The thin-walled airfoil areas of as-cast single-crystalline turbine blades made of CMSX-4 superalloy were studied. The blades were produced by the industrial Bridgman technique at withdrawal rates of 2, 3 and 4 mm/min. The angle between the [001] crystallographic direction and blade axis, related to the primary orientation, was defined by the Ω-scan X-ray diffraction method at points on the camber line located near the tip of an airfoil and at points of a line located in parallel and near the trailing edge. Additionally, primary crystal orientation was determined by Laue diffraction at the selected points of an airfoil. The influence of mould wall inclination on the primary crystal orientation of the thin-walled areas is discussed. The effect of change in the [001] crystallographic direction, named as “force directing”, was considered with regard to the arrangement of primary dendrite arms in relation to the trailing edge and the camber line. It was stated that when the distance between the mould walls is less than the critical value of about 1.5 mm the “force directing” increases as the distance between the walls of the mould decreases. The effect may be controlled by selecting an appropriate secondary orientation using a seed crystal in the blade production process. The model of dendrite interaction with the mould walls, including bending and “deflection”, was proposed.

The variation of the crystal orientation and the dendrite array generated in the root of the single-crystalline (SX) turbine blades made of CMSX-4 superalloy were studied. The blades with an axial orientation of the [001] type were solidified by the industrial Bridgman technique using a spiral selector at a withdrawal rate of 3 mm/min. The analysis of the crystal orientation and dendrite arrangement was carried out using scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction topography, and Laue diffraction. It was found that the lateral growth of such secondary dendrite arms, which are defined as “leading” and grow in the root at first, is related to the rotation of their crystal lattice, which is the reason for creation of the low-angle boundary (LAB) type defects. The primary crystal orientation of the selector extension (SE) area determines the areas and directions of the lateral growth of the leading arms. Additionally, it was found that in the SE areas of the root, near the connection with the selector, the spatial distribution of the [001]γ′ crystallographic direction has a complex wave-like character and may be related to the shape of the crystallization front.

The relationship between the angles of misorientation of macroscopic low-angle boundaries (LABs) and changes in the lattice parameter of the γ′-phase around the LABs in the root of single-crystalline (SX) turbine blades made of CMSX-4 superalloy were studied. The blades with an axial orientation of the [001] type were solidified using an industrial Bridgman furnace with a 3 mm/min withdrawal rate. X-ray diffraction topography, the EFG Ω-scan X-ray diffraction method, scanning electron microscopy, and Laue diffraction were used to study the thin lamellar samples with a thickness of 0.5 mm and orientation of the surface perpendicular to the [001] direction. It is found that in the areas with a width of a few millimetres around LABs, decreases in the lattice parameter of the γ′-phase occur. These lattice parameter changes are related to the internal stresses of the γ′-phase caused by local changes in the concentration of alloying elements and/or to the dendrite bending near the LABs. X-ray topography used on two surfaces of thin lamellar samples coupled with the lattice parameter measurements of the γ′-phase near the LAB allows separating the misorientation component of LAB diffraction contrast from the component and visualising the internal stresses of the γ′-phase.