Formation mechanism and wear behavior of gradient nanostructured Inconel 625 alloy

The formation mechanism and wear behavior of a gradient nanostructured(GNS) Inconel 625 alloy were investigated using SEM, TEM and ball-on-disc sliding wear tester. The results show that surface mechanical grinding treatment(SMGT) induced an approximately 800 μm-deep gradient microstructure, consisting of surface nano-grained,nano-laminated, nano-twined, and severely deformed layers, which resulted in a reduced gradient in micro-hardness from 6.95 GPa(topmost surface) to 2.77 GPa(coarse-grained matrix). The nano-grained layer resulted from the formation of high-density nano-twins and subsequent interaction between nano-twins and dislocations. The width and depth of the wear scar, wear loss volume, and wear rate of the SMGT-treated sample were smaller than those of untreated coarse-grained sample. Moreover, the wear mechanisms for both samples were mainly abrasive wear and adhesive wear, accompanied with mild oxidation wear. The notable wear resistance enhancement of the GNS Inconel 625 alloy was attributed to the high micro-hardness, high residual compressive stress, and high strain capacity of the GNS surface layer.

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.

Influence of processing parameters on deposition characteristics of Inconel 625 superalloy fabricated by laser solid forming

A series of single track clads of Inconel 625 alloy were fabricated by laser solid forming.To achieve the high dimensional accuracy and excellent mechanical properties,the effect of processing parameters on the geometry,the formation of Laves phase and the residual stress was investigated.The results show that laser power and scanning speed had a dramatical influence on the width and height of single-track clads.According to the columnar to equiaxed transition curve of Inconel 625,the grain morphology can be predicted during the LSF process.With the increasing laser power and the decreasing scanning speed,the segregation degree of Si,Nb,Mo,the volume fraction and size of Laves phase increased.Vickers indentation was used to demonstrate that optimizing processing parameter can achieve the minimum residual tensile stress.

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.

DRX rules during extrusion process of large-scale thick-walled Inconel 625 pipe by FE method

A thermal-mechanical and micro-macro coupled finite element（FE） model for the hot extrusion process of large-scale thick-walled Inconel 625 pipe was developed based on the DEFORM-2D platform.Then,the influence rules of the key extrusion parameters on the average grain size and grain uniformity of the extruded pipe were revealed.The results show that with the increase of initial billet temperature,extrusion speed and friction coefficient,the grain uniformity is firstly improved and then deteriorated.Larger extrusion ratio leads to more uniform grain distribution.With the increase of initial billet temperature,the average grain size of the pipe first decreases and then increases.Additionally,larger extrusion ratio can bring smaller average grain size.The extrusion speed and friction coefficient have slight effects on the average grain size of the extruded pipe.

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.