Fracture Behaviour of Laser Clad Fe-and Ni-base Alloy Coatings on a Cast Iron under SEMI Loading

Laser cladding technique has been applied to renovate some partially-damaged (or worn) components with Fe, Ni, Co-base alloys, hence to improve their hardness values and wear resistance successfully in previous reports. But for some punching or shearing cast iron dies damaged or worn in automobile manufacture, the renovated surfaces also bear some impact loading. Therefore, a small-energy and multi-impact (SEMI) test was designed to investigate the fracture behaviour of renovated cast iron dies achieved by laser cladding of Fe and Ni-base alloys under SEMI loading to meet above requirement. observations show that the fracture took place in the substrate near to the substrate/coating interface rather than at the interface. The tempering temperature has a great influence on the cycles to fracture of laser-clad samples under SEMl loading, i.e. the low tempering temperature of 300℃ gives a maximum cycle to fracture, while a higher tempering temperature of 400℃ has a minimum. Furthermore, the fracture mechanism has also been discussed in present study

STRENGTH-DUCTILITY AND γ'PRECIPITATES IN Ni-BASE ALLOYS

The critical diameter of γ'-phase(dc) is an important microstructural characteristic.Relationships among the critical diameter(dc).the volume fraciton(f),the antiphase domain boundaryγenergy(APBE) ofγ'-phase and the shear modulus(G) of precipitation strengthening Ni-base alloys have been studied in this paper.The results show that the alloys have the strongest age-hardening effects but the lowest ductility corresponding to the critical size of γ'-phase.The impact ductility of the alloys relates to γ'precipitation induced volume distortion in the matrix.

Competitive oxidation behavior of Ni-based superalloy GH4738 at extreme temperature

A high thrust-to-weight ratio poses challenges to the high-temperature performance of Ni-based superalloys. The oxidation behavior of GH4738 at extreme temperatures has been investigated by isothermal and non-isothermal experiments. As a result of the competitive diffusion of alloying elements, the oxide scale included an outermost porous oxide layer (OOL), an inner relatively dense oxide layer (IOL), and an internal oxide zone (IOZ), depending on the temperature and time. A high temperature led to the formation of large voids at the IOL/IOZ interface. At 1200℃, the continuity of the Cr-rich oxide layer in the IOL was destroyed, and thus, spallation occurred. Extension of oxidation time contributed to the size of Al-rich oxide particles with the increase in the IOZ. Based on this finding,the oxidation kinetics of GH4738 was discussed, and the corresponding oxidation behavior at 900-1100℃ was predicted.

Additive manufacturing of Ni-based superalloys: Residual stress, mechanisms of crack formation and strategies for crack inhibition

The additive manufacturing(AM)of Ni-based superalloys has attracted extensive interest from both academia and industry due to its unique capabilities to fabricate complex and high-performance components for use in high-end industrial systems.However,the intense temperature gradient induced by the rapid heating and cooling processes of AM can generate high levels of residual stress and metastable chemical and structural states,inevitably leading to severe metallurgical defects in Ni-based superalloys.Cracks are the greatest threat to these materials’integrity as they can rapidly propagate and thereby cause sudden and non-predictable failure.Consequently,there is a need for a deeper understanding of residual stress and cracking mechanisms in additively manufactured Ni-based superalloys and ways to potentially prevent cracking,as this knowledge will enable the wider application of these unique materials.To this end,this paper comprehensively reviews the residual stress and the various mechanisms of crack formation in Ni-based superalloys during AM.In addition,several common methods for inhibiting crack formation are presented to assist the research community to develop methods for the fabrication of crack-free additively manufactured components.

Dual-System Activation of Ni-Base Superalloy under High Strain and High Temperature

Due to their superior combination of heat resistance, high temperature corrosion resistance, toughness and strength, nickel-based superalloys have become of extensive use in the aerospace industry. This research aims to explain why the fatigue life of Inconel-718 in preconditioned samples had larger fatigue lives than pristine samples. The hypothesis is that preconditioning at 700°C and 1.0% strain could lead to thermal activation of the {100} cubic slip plane alongside the {111} octahedral slip plane, potentially improving fatigue life. Using SEM and EBSD imaging, the microstructure of Inconel-718 samples were characterized before and after preconditioning. The directions of the slip bands that formed following the preconditioning were determined. The result was that the existence of both the cubic and octahedral slip systems was confirmed, leading to the thermal activation hypothesized. The existence of both slip planes was considered to be the reason behind the improved fatigue life due to better strain accommodation within the microstructure. It is suggested that focuses for future research includes conducting in-situ observation of slip activation and the application of preconditioning as a manufacturing method.

Influence of Metalloid Elements on the Magnetic Properties and Anisotropy of FeNi-based Amorphous Alloys

The magnetic properties and anisotropy of amor- phous(Fe_(80)Ni_(20))_(78)Si_xB_(22-x).alloys have been investigated systematically.The maximum permeability,coercive force and remanence have been determined for as-prepared and annealed samples,The results on the technical magnetic properties of this alloy system have been discussed and compared with Masumoto's.

Tribological properties of laser cladding TiB_2 particles reinforced Ni-base alloy composite coatings on aluminum alloy

To improve the wear resistance of aluminum alloy frictional parts, Ti B2particles reinforced Ni-base alloy composite coatings were prepared on aluminum alloy 7005 by laser cladding. The microstructure and tribological properties of the composite coatings were investigated. The results show that the composite coating contains the phases of Ni Al, Ni3Al, Al3Ni2, TiB2, TiB, TiC, CrB, and Cr23C6.Its microhardness is HV0.5855.8, which is 15.4 % higher than that of the Ni-base alloy coating and is 6.7 times as high as that of the aluminum alloy. The friction coefficients of the composite coatings are reduced by 6.8 %–21.6 % and 13.2 %–32.4 % compared with those of the Ni-base alloy coatings and the aluminum alloys, while the wear losses are 27.4 %–43.2 % less than those of the Ni-base alloy coatings and are only 16.5 %–32.7 % of those of the aluminum alloys at different loads. At the light loads ranging from 3 to 6 N, the calculated maximum contact stress is smaller than the elastic limit contact stress. The wear mechanism of the composite coatings is micro-cutting wear, but changes into multi-plastic deformation wear at 9 N due to the higher calculated maximum contact stress than the elastic limit contact stress. As the loads increase to 12 N, the calculated flash temperature rises to 332.1 °C.The composite coating experiences multi-plastic deformation wear, micro-brittle fracture wear, and oxidative wear.

Microstructural Evolution of a Ni-base Alloy DZ468 Joint Bonded with a New Co-base Filler

Ni-base alloy DZ468 has been joined by transient liquid phase bonding technique with a newly developed Co-based filler. The microstructures of the Co-base filler and the joint, the effects of heat treatment on microstructure and hardness of the joint have been investigated by various experimental methods. Results show that the Co-base filler consists of γ, M2B, M5B3 and M23B6 phases. Because of the interdiffusion between the base metal and the filler, γ, MC, M5B3 and M23B6 phases are formed in the bonding zone. And localized liquidation of substrate occurs in the diffusion affected zone, with MC and M3B2 precipitating in this area. During heat treatment, the volume of the intermetallic phases in the bonding zone resulting from incomplete isothermal solidification decreases obviously. On the contrary, the width of the diffusion affected zone increases at the solution stage and subsequently decreases at the aging stages.

EFFECT OF Mg AND Zr ADDITION ON CREEP CRACK GROWTH BEHAVIOUR OF A Ni-BASE SUPERALLOY

The creep crack growth(CCG)and the time to carck initiation and rupture of specimen (t_(rc)and t_r)were measured by means of electrical potential method on single edge notched specimens at 700℃.The field near the crack tip under steady-state creep was represented by energy rate integral(C~*),and the CCG rate as a function of C~* has been obtained.The agreement between the predicted and observed t_(rc)values is quite good.It was found that the addition of small amount of Mg and Zr in the alloys causes t_(rc)and t_r of the specimens to in- crease significantly.

EFFECT OF GRAIN REFINING ON FATIGUE-CREEP INTERACTION BEHAVIOURIN A Ni-BASE SUPERALLOY

The fatigue-creep interaction behaviour of superalloy GH698 with different grain sizes has been studied at 700℃.The results show that three zones,F,C and FC,can be distinguished at the fatigue-creep interaction curves.In zones FC and C,the presence of alternative stresses inhibits the creep deformation process therefore delays the fracture of the alloy.This effect will be enhanced by grain refining.However,in zone F,grain refining exhibits an inverse ef fect under large alternative stresses.

Effect of Rare Earth on Microstructure of Vacuum Melting Ni-Based Self-Fluxing Alloy Coatings

The Ni-based self-fluxing alloy coating containing RE was acquired by the technique of vacuum melting on the hypoeutectoid steel (Fe-0.45%C) matrix. By X-ray diffraction, SEM and EDX, the microstructure and phase structure of section of coating and the microstructure near the interface between coating and matrix were investigated, and the effect of RE on microstructure of coating was also discussed. The results show that the microstructure of the NiCrBSi alloy coating is composed of Ni-based solid solution and a lot of massive, globular and needle secondary phases CrB, Ni_3B, Cr_7C_3, Cr_(23)C_6 among the solid solution. The metallurgical binding between steel matrix and coating is realized. RE makes needle phase of alloy coating vanish. New phases of NiB and Cr_(6.5)Ni_(2.5)Si are precipitated from alloy coating, and secondary phases of alloy coating are sphericized. Consequently, RE also hinders the diffusion of Ni, Cr and Si atoms from coating to matrix and Fe atoms from matrix to coating, holds back the dilution of Fe for NiCrBSi alloy coating, and assures the chemical composition of the alloy coating.

Microstructure and Wear Resistance of in situ NbC Particles Reinforced Ni-based Alloy Composite Coating by Laser Cladding

The in situ synthesized NbC particles reinforced Ni-based alloy composite coating was produced by laser cladding a precursor mixture of Ni-based alloy powder, graphite and niobium powders on a steel substrate. The microstructure, phase composition and wear property of the composite coating were investigated by means of scanning electron microscopy （SEM）, X-ray diffraction （XRD） and dry sliding wear test. The experiment results show that the composite coating is homogeneous and free from cracks, and about 0.8 mm thick. The microstructure of the composite coating is mainly composed of NbC particles, CrB type chromium borides, 7-Ni primary dendrites, and interdendritic eutectics. CrB phases often nucleate and grow on the surface of NbC particles or in their close vicinity. NbC particles are formed via in situ reaction between niobium and graphite in the molten pool during the laser cladding process and they are commonly precipitated in three kinds of morphologies, such as quadrangle, cluster, and flower-like shape. Compared with the pure Ni- based alloy coating, the microhardness of the composite coating is increased about 38%, giving a high average hardness of HV0.21000, and the wear rate of the composite coating is decreased by about 32%, respectively. These are attributed to the presence of in situ synthesized NbC particles and their well distribution in the coating.

Fabrication of in-situ synthesized ceramic reinforced Ni-based alloy composite coatings by reactive braze coating processing

In-situ synthesized ceramic such as TiC,Cr7C3 and Cr5B3 reinforced Ni-based alloy composite coating was fabricated on the surface of mild steel substrate by reactive braze coating processing with colloidal graphite,Cr,Ni,ferro-boron,Si and titanium powders as the raw materials at low temperature of 1000℃,and a new kind of coating materials was developed.By means of SEM,EDS,XRD and surface hardness tester,the microstructures,phases,hardness and wear-resistance of the coating were analyzed,respectively.The results revealed that the coating was mainly composed of the ceramic in-situ synthesized reinforcement phases of TiC,Cr7C3 and Cr5B3 and the binder phases in-situ synthesized of Ni31Si12 and(Ni,Fe)solid solution;The ceramic reinforcement phases of TiC,Cr7C3 and Cr5B3 were randomly distributed in the binder phases of Ni31Si12 and(Ni,Fe)solid solution;The coating had about 15vol%pores and can possibly be applied as a self-lubrication coating;The coating and the substrate were integrated together by metallurgical bonding;The coating had a hardness up to 91-94HR15N.

GRAIN REFINEMENT IN BULK UNDERCOOLED Ni-BASED ALLOY

Fluxing of 5 g bulk melt Ni77Si13B10 permits high undercoolings to be attained prior to nu-cleation onset.Investigations of grain refinement in the bulk undercooled alloy as a function ofundercooling,recalescence behavior and cooling rate have been reported.A significant inhomo-geneity of reduction in grain size of a bulk sample is observed,which is caused by the different so-lidification conditions:(1)recalescence process,and(2)the followed plateau in which the heatrelease and extraction rates are equal.It is concluded that the homogeneous refined microstructurecan be achieved if the initial undercooling prior to nucleation,or cooling rate after recalescence isfurther increased.

Laser cladding of Ni-based alloy on copper substrate

The laser cladding of Ni1015 alloy on Cu substrate was prepared by a high power continuous wave CO2 laser. Its microstructure was analyzed by optical microscope （OM）, scanning electron microscope （SEM）, and X-Ray diffraction （XRD）. The average microhardness of the cladding coating was Hv 280, which was almost three times of that of the Cu substrate （Hv 85）. OM and SEM observations showed that the obtained coating had a smooth and uniform surface, as well as a metallurgical combination with the Cu substrate without cracks and pores at the interface. With the addition of copper into the nickel-based alloy, the differences of thermal expansion coefficient and melting point between the interlayer and cladding were reduced, which resulted in low stresses during rapid cooling. Moreover, large amount of （Cu, Ni） solid solution formed a metallurgical bonding between the cladding coating and the substrate, which also relaxed the stresses, leading to the reduction of interfacial cracks and pores after laser cladding.

Effect of stoichiometry and Cu-substitution on the phase structure and hydrogen storage properties of Ml-Mg-Ni-based alloys

To improve the electrochemical properties of rare-earth-Mg-Ni-based hydrogen storage alloys, the effects of stoichiometry and Cu-substitution on the phase structure and thermodynamic properties of the alloys were studied. Nonsubstituted Ml0.80Mg0.20（Ni2.90Co0.50-Mn0.30Al0.30）x （x=0.68, 0.70, 0.72, 0.74, 0.76） alloys and Cu-substituted Ml0.80Mg0.20（Ni2.90Co0.50-yCuyMn0.30Al0.30）0.70 （y=0, 0.10, 0.30, 0.50） alloys were prepared by induction melting. Phase structure analysis shows that the nonsubstituted alloys consist of a LaNi5 phase, a LaNi3 phase, and a minor La2Ni7 phase;in addition, in the case of Cu-substitution, the Nd2Ni7 phase appears and the LaNi3 phase vanishes. Ther-modynamic tests show that the enthalpy change in the dehydriding process decreases, indicating that hydride stability decreases with in-creasing stoichiometry and increasing Cu content. The maximum discharge capacity, kinetic properties, and cycling stability of the alloy electrodes all increase and then decrease with increasing stoichiometry or increasing Cu content. Furthermore, Cu substitution for Co ame-liorates the discharge capacity, kinetics, and cycling stability of the alloy electrodes.

Desulphurization during VIM Refining Ni-base Superalloy using CaO Crucible

The variation of S content during VIM refining Ni-base superalloy using CaO crucible was studied. It was foundthat the desulphurization process could not be carried out by only using CaO crucible. The role of Al additionto desulphurization was also studied. Combining with the results of XRD and composition analysis of the CaOcrucible, the mechanism of desulphurization was proposed. Thermodynamical calculation about the reaction betweenthe interface of CaO crucible and liquid metal has been discussed. This work indicated that under proper refiningtechnology the S content in the liquid Ni-base alloy could be reduced from 3×10-5 to 2×10-6~4×10-6.

Investigation on the dissolution of η phase in a cast Ni-based superalloy

The dissolution behavior of rI phase has been investigated in a cast Ni-based superalloy. The results showed that the platelets and blocks of η phase were formed within the interdendritic regions of the microstructure. Applying standard solution annealing at 1150-1160℃ for a period of 4 h did not result in the complete dissolution of η phase. For the complete dissolution of η phase without residual incipient melting, a 2-step solution annealing has been recommended. After dissolution at high tem- peratures, the TI phase transforms to two MC-type carbides： one is enriched in Ti, Nb, and Ta, and the other is of （Zr,Ti）C type.

Effect of solidification parameters on the microstructures of a single crystal Ni-based superalloy AM3

A single crystal Ni-based superalloy AM3 was processed at withdraw rates of 3.5, 10, 50, 100, 200, and 500 μm·s-1, respectively.The as-cast microstructures and solidification segregation ratio were characterized with various withdraw rates.The shape and size of carbide microstructures were determined.As expected, the primary and secondary dendrite arm spacings (PDAS and SDAS) decrease with the increase of withdraw rate.The highest volume fraction of eutectic γ/γ' is observed at the 100 μm·s-1 withdraw rate.The volume fraction of eutectic γ/γ' does not appear to be a strong function of the withdraw rate.With increasing withdraw rate, interface morphologies change in the sequence of planar, cellular, and dendrite.There is a general refinement of the microstructure as the withdraw rate increases.EPMA analysis showed that withdraw rate does not have obvious influence on the segregation of elements.

Effect of Powder Particle Size on Microstructure and Mechanical Property of Ni-Based P/M Superalloy Product

The solid sintering behavior and mechanical properties of Fe Ni powders prepared by mechanical alloying of elemental powders and hot pressing sintering in vacuum atmospheres were investigated. It was observed that the microstructure of the powder particles evolves in three stages. The alloy powder with average grain size of 20-30 nm was obtained. The sinter densification depends crucially on the particle rearrangement and the large amount of internal strain introduced during milling. The theoretical density of over 95 % was obtained after hot pressing sintering at 800 ℃ for 30 min with pressure of 50 MPa. No significant grain growth was observed during sintering. And also relatively high hardness was obtained.