Systematic analysis of distinct flow characteristics and underlying microstructural evolution mechanisms of a novel fine-grained P/M nickel-based superalloy during isothermal compression

Isothermal forging(IF)is an effective method for forming difficult-to-deform materials like P/M superalloys.Understanding the isothermal compression microstructural evolution mechanism of a novel P/M s-peralloy provides the basis for its optimized IF planning.In this study,the isothermal compression tests of a novel fine-grained P/M nickel-based superalloy were carried out at 1000-1150℃with strain rates of 0.001-0.01 s^(−1).The results indicated that the alloy exhibits three distinct flow characteristics:continuous softening after reaching the peak stress,near-steady superplastic flow,and discontinuous hardening,corresponding to different strain rate sensitivity exponent(m)values.Varied microstructural evolution mechanisms,including grain boundary sliding(GBS),dynamic recrystallization(DRX),and grain growth,are dominated in different m-value domains.Meanwhile,different roles of primaryγ’play in microstruc-tural evolution were clarified.A moderate fraction of primaryγ’with 8.5%-14.2%can well coordinate the GBS and hinder excessive grain growth at a high m value domain(m>0.4).When 0.2<m<0.4,the role of the primaryγ’is changed to promote dislocation accumulation,accelerating the nucleation of DRXed grains.As the primaryγ’is dissolved at 1150℃,obvious grain growth was observed after compression.Work hardening effect by overgrown grains competed with DRX softening results in the discontinuous rising stress.