Precipitation Study in Inconel 625 Alloy by Positron Annihilation Spectroscopy

Precipitation in Inconel 625 alloy has been studied by positron annihilation spectroscopy and electron microscopy. The observed dependence of annihilation characteristics on aging time is attributed to the change of the positron state due to the increase and decrease of the density and size of the 7' precipitates. Hardness measurements and lifetime measurements are in good agreement.

Effects of Heating and Hot Extrusion Process on Microstructure and Properties of Inconel 625 Alloy

The effects of the heating process and hot extrusion on the microstructure and properties of inconel 625 alloy were studied. The experimental results showed that the properties of Inconel 625 alloy could be improved through the heating process and hot extrusion concomitant with a reduced corrosion rate. The M23C6 carbide, generated in the heating process, was retained and distributed at the grain boundary during the process of hot extrusion, which had an important influence on both elongation and corrosion resistance. The improvement of the comprehensive properties of the material, as measured by a tensile test at room temperature, was correlated with the dissolution of segregation Nb. A typical ductile fracture changed to a cleavage fracture where secondary cracks could be clearly seen. With the increase of the extrusion ratio, the real extrusion temperature was higher, which led to more dissolution of the M23C6 carbide, decreased the number of secondary cracks, enhanced the effect of solid solution strengthening, and reduced the intergranular corrosion rate. Under the condition of a high extrusion ratio and a high extrusion speed, the less extrusion time made it possible to obtain organization with a smaller average grain size. Moreover, in this case, the M23C6 carbide and segregated Nb did not have enough time to diffuse. Thus all samples exhibited medium strengths and corrosion rates after extrusion.

Phase Transformation Strengthening of Hot Extruded Inconel 625 under High-temperature Load Environment

Microstructure evolution and properties of hot-extruded Inconel 625 alloy were investigated at different creep temperatures, aging time and strain rates. The experimental results indicate that the Inconel 625 alloy exhibits an excellent creep resistance at 700 ℃ and below. When the creep temperature rises to 750 ℃, the creep resistance falls drastically due to the failure of phase transformation strengthening and the precipitation of a large amount of δ phase and σ phase at the grain boundary. The special temperature-sensitive characteristics of Inconel 625 alloy play a very important role in its fracture. When the strain rate is 8.33×10^-3s^-1, the strength of the specimen is higher than that of other parameters attributed to the effect of phase transformation strengthening. With the increase of Ni3(Al, Ti), the phase transformation strengthening inhibits thickening of the stacking faults into twins and improves the overall mechanical properties of the alloy. With the increase of the aging time, the granular Cr-rich M23C6 carbides continue to precipitate at the grain boundary, which hinders the movement of the dislocations and obviously increases the strength of the samples. Especially, the yield strength increases several times.

NICKEL-BASE ALLOY SHEET ALLOYS USED IN AEROSPACE APPLICATIONS

Many gas turbine components are made from nickel alloy sheet. Most are used for directing or containing gases at high temperatures and pressures where metal temperatures can be as high as 1090℃ (2000°F). These applications included combustor systems, casings and liners, transition and exhaust ducting, afterburners, and thrust reversere. Light weight components and sub-assemblies call for alloy sheet with high levels of stength and oxidation resistance. Complex component design calls for excellent ductility and ease of fabrication.The wide range of nickel alloy sheet alloys presently used in aircraft and land-based gas turbines is briefly described and typical properties presented. New sheet alloy developments, involving INCONEL￣* alloys 625LCF, 718SPF and MA754, are presented including the process routes involved and material properties.

Grain Growth Behavior of Inconel 625 Superalloy

The grain growth（GG）behavior of Inconel 625 superalloy was studied in the temperature range of 900-1 250 ℃and holding time range of 10-80 min.Microstructures of the alloy were characterized by optical metallography,scanning electron microscopy（SEM）and transmission electron microscopy（TEM）.Grains grew obviously with either increasing temperature or extending holding time at temperatures above 1 050℃.However,at temperatures lower than 1 050 ℃,the GG was sluggish due to the pinning effect of carbide particles on grain boundary（GB）.Threshold temperature for transition from mixed grain structure to uniform one was considered to be around 1 100℃.Once the temperatures surpassed 1 200℃,an instant increase in the grain size occurred showing no dependence on holding time.TEM analysis showed that the dominant second phase formed heterogeneously on the GB was M6 C,which significantly impeded grain growth.On the basis of experimental data,the mathematical model of GG was established,which can describe GG behavior of Inconel 625 alloy during solution treatment（ST）at 1 100-1 250 ℃.The activation energy for GG of Inconel 625 alloy was 207.3kJ,which suggested that the GG of Inconel 625 alloy was controlled by the process of GB diffusion.