Temperature dependence of anisotropic stress-rupture properties of nickel-based single crystal superalloy SRR99

In order to reveal the temperature dependence of anisotropic stress？rupture behavior of SRR99 single crystal superalloys under conditions of temperature ranging from 650 to 1 040 °C and typical stresses,fracture morphologies and microstructure evolution were investigated by SEM and TEM.From the Larson-Miller curves,it is found that single crystal with [001] orientation has the optimum stress rupture property in comparison with [011] and [111] orientations at lower and intermediate temperature.With increasing temperature to 1 040 °C,stress-rupture properties of single crystals with three principal orientations tend to be equivalent.Based on the fracture surface and microstructural observations,superior stress？rupture behavior of single crystal with [001] orientation was rationalized and the effect of misorientation of single crystal on stress rupture property was also discussed.

Effect of Ru on stress rupture properties of nickel-based single crystal superalloy at high temperature

Two experimental single crystal superalloys, Ru-free alloy and Ru-containing alloy with [001] orientation, other alloying element contents being basically kept same, were cast in the directionally solidified furnace. The effect of Ru on the stress rupture properties of the single crystal superalloy was investigated at （980 ℃, 250 MPa）, （1100 ℃, 140 MPa） and （1120 ℃, 140 MPa）. The results show that Ru can enhance high temperature stress rupture properties of single crystal superalloy. The improvement effect of Ru addition on stress rupture properties decreases with increasing test temperature. The γ′ coarsening and rafting directionally are observed in Ru-free alloy and Ru-containing alloy after stress rupture test. Needle shaped TCP phases precipitated in both of alloys after stress rupture test at （1100 ℃, 140 MPa） and （1120 ℃, 140 MPa） and no TCP phase was observed in both of alloys after stress rupture test （980 ℃, 250 MPa）. The precipitate volume fraction of TCP phases is significantly decreased by the addition of Ru. At last, the relationship between the microstructure change with Ru addition and improvement of stress rupture properties was discussed.

Creep properties and microstructure evolution of nickel-based single crystal superalloy at different conditions

The creep properties of nickel-based single crystal superalloy with [001] orientation was investigated at different test conditions. The microstructure evolution of γ′ phase, TCP phase and dislocation characteristic after creep rupture was studied by SEM and TEM. The results show that the alloy has excellent creep properties. Two different types of creep behavior can be shown in the creep curves. The primary creep is characterized by the high amplitude at test conditions of (760 °C, 600 MPa) and (850 °C, 550 MPa) and the primary creep strain is limited at (980 °C, 250 MPa), (1100 °C, 140 MPa) and (1120 °C, 120 MPa). A little change ofγ′precipitate morphology occurs at (760 °C, 600 MPa). The lateral merging of the γ′ precipitate has already begun at (850 °C, 550 MPa). Theγphase is surrounded by theγ′phase at (980 °C, 250 MPa). Theγphase is no longer continuous tested at (1070 °C, 140 MPa). At (1100 °C, 120 MPa), the thickness ofγphase continues to increase. No TCP phase precipitates in the specimens at (760 °C, 600 MPa), (850 °C, 550 MPa) and (980 °C, 250 MPa). Needle shaped TCP phase precipitates in the specimens tested at (1070 °C, 140 MPa) and (1100 °C, 120 MPa). The dislocation shear mechanism including stacking fault formation is operative at lower temperature and high stress. The dislocation by-passing mechanism occurs to form networks atγ/γ′interface under the condition of high temperature and lower stress.

SOLIDIFICATION OF NICKEL-BASED SINGLE CRYSTAL SUPERALLOY BY ELECTRIC FIELD

The crystal growth of a nickel-based single crystal superalloy DD3 was researched via controlled directional solidification under the action of a DC electric field. The cellular or dendrite spacing of the single crystal superalloy is refined and microsegregation of alloying elements Al, Ti, Mo and W, is reduced by the electric field. The electric field decreases the interface stability and reduces the critical growth rate of the ceUular-dendritic translation because of Thomson effect and Joule heating. The precipitation of the γ＇ phase is more uniform and the size of the γ＇ phase is smaller with the electric field than that without the electric field.

Evolution mechanism of recrystallization in a nickel-based single crystal superalloy under various cooling rates during heat treatment

The recrystallization behaviors of a nickel-based single crystal superalloy during heat treatment at 1,200℃ for 4 h with various cooling rates were studied.Results show that the thickness of recrystallization layer decreases with the increase of cooling rate.In addition,the microstructures ofγ′phase in the recrystallization region are different in various cooling rates.In the high cooling rates(70,100℃·min^(-1)),small size and high volume fraction ofγ′phases are formed in the recrystallization region.It is also found that irregular fine secondaryγ′phases are precipitated between matrix channels with an average size of 150 nm in the original matric(100℃·min^(-1)).The sizes of the secondaryγ′phase decrease with the increase of cooling rate.In contrast,large size and small volume fraction ofγ′phases are formed in the recrystallization region,and a grain boundary layer is formed under a low cooling rate(10℃·min^(-1)).The evolution mechanism of recrystallization at various cooling rates during heat treatment is analyzed.

Effect of competitive crystal growth on microstructural characteristics of directionally solidified nickel-based single crystal superalloy

Directionally solidified single crystal superalloy test bars were prepared by the spiral grain selection method.The microstructural evolution and orientation characteristics of the starter block and spiral part were studied,and the influence of the competitive growth of crystals on the microstructural characteristics was analyzed.The results show that the divergent grain groups,with small size and randomly oriented grains,appear at the bottom of the start block due to the chilling effect,which is an important area for competitive growth.As the height of the starter block increases,the primary dendrite spacing increases,and the grain density decreases;furthermore,the proportion of grains with an orientation deflection angle less than 10°gradually increases.The<001>texture gradually becomes stronger as the height of the starter block increases,which indicates that the competitive growth of crystals gradually weakens.At the initial stage of the crystal selection in the spiral part,the obstacle of adjacent grains and spiral passage is the main working mechanism.The grains located at the inner side of the front edge of the spiral passage have the growth advantage.The single crystal screening process is achieved at about two-thirds of the spiral height,and the single crystal with the orientation deviation angle of 6.7°from the casting axis is prepared.

Low-Cycle Fatigue Crack Initiation Behavior of Nickel-Based Single Crystal Superalloy

Low-cycle fatigue crack initiation behavior of nickel-based single crystal superalloy at 530℃ was investigated.Results show that the behavior of crack initiation is closely related to the maximum strain.When the maximum strain is 2.0%,the fatigue crack is originated at the position of persistent slip bands on the surface of specimen,which is located on the{111}slip plane.No defects are observed at the crack initiation position.When the maximum strain is lower than 1.6%,the cracks are initiated at the casting defects on sub-surface or at interior of the specimen.The casting defects are located on the{100}slip plane vertical to the axial force.The crack is initiated along the{100}slip plane and then expanded along different{111}slip planes after a short stage of expansion.As the maximum strain decreases,the position of crack initiation gradually changes from the surface to the interior.Moreover,the secondary cracks extending inward along the fracture surface appear in the crack initiation area,and there is obvious stress concentration near the secondary cracks.The dislocation density is high near the fracture surface in the crack initiation zone,where a lot of dislocations cutting into the γ'phase exist.An oxide layer of 50‒100 nm is presented on the fracture surface,and Ni,Al,Cr and Co elements are mainly segregated into the oxide layer of the surface.

Effect of Ta on Tensile Behavior and Deformation Mechanism of a Nickel-Based Single Crystal Superalloy

The effects of Ta on the tensile behavior and deformation mechanisms of a Ni-based single crystal superalloy were investigated in this study from room temperature to elevated temperature.The findings demonstrated that the higher content of Ta could improve the tensile properties of the alloy at different temperatures.Due to the different deformation mechanisms at various temperatures,the influence of Ta on tensile deformation varied.At room temperature,the higher content of Ta enhanced the solid solution strengthening,which would enhance the tensile strength of 6.5Ta alloy.After standard heat treatment of 6.5Ta alloy,precipitation of the secondaryγʹphase would hinder the movement of dislocations.When the temperature was elevated to 760℃,the higher content of Ta not only promoted the interaction of stacking faults to form Lomer-Cottrell(L-C)locks that impeded dislocation motion,but also reduced the occurrence of dislocation pile-up groups,thus enhancing the yield strength.At 1120℃,due to the narrowerγchannels and higher APB energy inγʹphase of the alloy with higher Ta addition,the processes of bypassing and shearing of dislocations were hindered,respectively.Meanwhile,the denser and more regular dislocation networks were formed in 6.5Ta alloy;and thus,the tensile strength of 6.5Ta alloy was enhanced.This study systematically investigated the effect of Ta on the tensile behavior at three different temperatures,which provided an important theoretical basis for the design of nickel-based single crystal superalloys in the future.

Domain knowledge discovery from abstracts of scientific literature on Nickel-based single crystal superalloys

Despite the huge accumulation of scientific literature,it is inefficient and laborious to manually search it for useful information to investigate structure-activity relationships.Here,we propose an efficient text-mining framework for the discovery of credible and valuable domain knowledge from abstracts of scientific literature focusing on Nickel-based single crystal superalloys.Firstly,the credibility of abstracts is quantified in terms of source timeliness,publication authority and author’s academic standing.Next,eight entity types and domain dictionaries describing Nickel-based single crystal superalloys are predefined to realize the named entity recognition from the abstracts,achieving an accuracy of 85.10%.Thirdly,by formulating 12 naming rules for the alloy brands derived from the recognized entities,we extract the target entities and refine them as domain knowledge through the credibility analysis.Following this,we also map out the academic cooperative“Author-Literature-Institute”network,characterize the generations of Nickel-based single crystal superalloys,as well as obtain the fractions of the most important chemical elements in superalloys.The extracted rich and diverse knowledge of Nickel-based single crystal superalloys provides important insights toward understanding the structure-activity relationships for Nickel-based single crystal superalloys and is expected to accelerate the design and discovery of novel superalloys.

Aging process design based on the morphological evolution ofγprecipitates in a 4th generation nickel-based single crystal superalloy

In order to meet the design requirements of the aging treatment process of a 4th generation nickel-based single crystal superalloy(Ni-SX)developed independently,the effects of aging temperatures and aging times on the precipitation and morphological evolution ofγprecipitates are studied.The morphological evolution behavior ofγprecipitates during the aging process is summarized subsequently and the coarsening behavior ofγprecipitates is discussed by comparing with the Lifshitz-Slyozov-Wagner model(LSW)and the trans-interface diffusion-controlled model(TIDC).It is demonstrated that primary aging temperature and secondary aging time dominate the size and squareness ofγprecipitates respectively,a narrow primary aging temperature range and a suitable secondary aging time are allowed to obtain the optimized morphology ofγprecipitates.The optimal aging process of the Ni-SX investigated in the present work is obtained for 1100-1120°C/4 h and 870°C/16 h,confirmed by the corresponding creep tests.The coarsening growth ofγprecipitates in short-term aging also conforms to the LSW model well.Besides,the aging process design rules of various Ni-SXs of different generations are also summarized.

Micro Defects Evolution of Nickel-Based Single Crystal Superalloys during Shear Deformation:A Molecular Dynamics Study

Nickel-based single crystal superalloys have become the main structural materials of the aero-engines due to excellent high-temperature strength.The micro defects evolution of nickel-based single crystal superalloys under shear deformation was investigated by molecular dynamics(MD)simulations in the present study.It is found that the interfacial dislocations decompose into Shockley dislocations under low shear stress,resulting in the plastic deformation of the Ni phase.The initial plastic deformation of the Ni3Al phase is caused by Shockley dislocations cutting into the Ni3Al phase.The following deformation from low temperature to medium temperature is controlled by dislocation slip,but the deformation at high temperature is changed.It is also found that the microvoid evolution can be divided into void growth and coalescence during shear deformation.The microvoid could prevent dislocation entanglement,accelerate dislocation decomposition,and promote earlier plastic deformation under relatively low temperatures.

Oxidation behavior of 4774DD1 Ni-based single-crystal superalloy at 980℃ in air

The oxidation behavior of a novel Ni-based single-crystal 4774DD1 superalloy for industrial gas turbine applications was investigated by the isothermal oxidation at 980℃ and discontinuous oxidation weight gain methods.The phase constitution and morphology of surface oxides and the characteristics of the crosssection oxide film were analyzed by XRD,SEM and EDS.Results show that the oxidation kinetics of the 4774DD1 superalloy follows the cubic law,indicating its weak oxidation resistance at this temperature.As the oxidation time increases,the composition of the oxide film evolves as following:One layer consisting of a bottom Al_(2)O_(3)sublayer and an upper(Al_(2)O_(3)+NiO)mixture sublayer after oxidized for 25 h.Then,two layers composed of an outermost small NiO discontinuous grain layer and an internal layer for 75 h.This internal layer is consisted of the bottom Al_(2)O_(3)sublayer,an intermediate narrow CrTaO_(4)sublayer,and an upper(Al_(2)O_(3)+NiO)mixture sublayer.Also two layers comprising an outermost relative continuous NiO layer with large grain size and an internal layer as the oxidation time increases to 125 h.This internal layer is composed of the upper(Al_(2)O_(3)+NiO)mixture sublayer,an intermediate continuous(CrTaO_(4)+NiWO_(4))mixture sublayer,and a bottom Al_(2)O_(3)sublayer.Finally,three layers consisting of an outermost(NiAl2O_(4)+NiCr2O_(4))mixture layer,an intermediate(CrTaO_(4)+NiWO_(4))mixture layer,and a bottom Al_(2)O_(3)layer for 200 h.

Surface recrystallization of single crystal nickel-based superalloy

As-cast single crystal （SC） superalloy samples were shot peened and then annealed at different temperatures to investigate the effect of annealing temperature on the surface recrystallization behavior of the SC superalloy. The results show that the depth of recrystallized layers increases with the increase of annealing temperature. Below 1200 °C, the recrystallization depth climbs slowly with temperature rising. Above 1200 °C, the recrystallization depth increases sharply with the rise of temperature. The morphology of recrystallized grains is significantly affected by annealing temperature. Below the γ′ solvus, cellular recrystallization may be observed. Above the γ′ solvus, recrystallization occurs through the growth of well developed recrystallized grains. In addition, the microstructure evolution of recrystallized grains at the homogenization annealing temperature was studied. It is found that recrystallized grains first nucleate in the dendritic core areas on the shot-peened surface and then grow inwards along the dendritic core areas. With the dissolution of the coarse γ′ precipitates and γ/γ′ eutectics in the interdendritic areas, the recrystallized grain boundaries move through the interdendritic areas. Finally, the fully developed grains nearly have a uniform depth. The dissolution of primary γ′ precipitates is a critical factor influencing the recrystallization behavior of SC superalloys.

Microstructure evolution and deformation features of single crystal nickel-based superalloy containing 4.2% Re during creep

By means of microstructure observation and measurement of creep properties,the high temperature creep behaviors of a single crystal nickel-based superalloy containing Re were investigated.Results show that the single crystal nickel-based superalloy containing 4.2% Re possesses a better creep resistance at high temperature.After being crept up to fracture,the various morphologies are displayed in the different areas of the sample,and the γ＇ phase is transformed into the rafted structure along the direction vertical to the applied stress axis in the regions far from the fracture.But the coarsening and twisting extents of the rafted γ＇ phase increase in the regions near the fracture,which is attributed to the occurrence of the larger plastic deformation.In the later stage of creep,the deformation mechanism of the alloy is that the dislocations with [01^-1]and [011] trace features shear into the rafted γ＇ phase.The main/secondary slipping dislocations are alternately activated to twist the rafted γ＇ phase up to the occurrence of creep fracture,which is thought to be the fracture mechanism of the alloy during creep.

Inconsistent creep between dendrite core and interdendritic region under different degrees of elemental inhomogeneity in nickel-based single crystal superalloys

The creep inconsistency between dendrite core and interdendritic region is investigated in a nickel-based single crystal superalloy under 1373 K and 137 MPa.Two specimens with higher and lower degree of elemental inhomogeneity on dendritic structures are compared.For specimen with higher inhomogeneity,stronger segregation of refractory elements reinforces the local strength in dendrite core,but damages the strength in interdendritic region.Creep strain is accumulated faster in interdendritic region giving rise to promoted dislocation shearing inγphase,faster degradation of dislocation networks and facilitated topological inversion of rated structures.Although the segregation of refractory elements produces a high density of topologically close-packed(TCP)phase in dendrite core,faster accumulation of creep strain forms microcracks prior in interdendritic region that gives rise to final rupture of the specimen.In another specimen,increased solid solution time gives rise to overall reduced inhomogeneity.Creep inconsistency is relieved to show more uniform evolution of dislocation substructures and rafting between dendrite core and interdendritic region.The second specimen is ruptured by formation and extension of microcracks along TCP phase although the precipitation of TCP phase is relatively restricted under reduced inhomogeneity.Importantly,the balance of local strength between dendrite core and interdendritic region results in over 40%increase of creep rupture life of the second specimen.

Stress-controlled LCF experiments and ratcheting behaviour simulation of a nickel-based single crystal superalloy with [001] orientation

Uniaxial ratcheting behaviour and low cycle fatigue(LCF)failure mechanism of nickel-based single crystal superalloy DD6 with[001]orientation are investigated through the stresscontrolled LCF tests with stress ratio of-1.Then the deformation behaviour during the wholelifetime from the beginning of the experiment to the fracture of the specimen,as well as the fractographic/metallographic morphology,are compared with the strain-controlled LCF experimental results.Through the scanning electron microscope(SEM)observations,it is shown that the failure characteristics under stress-controlled LCF loading are similar with those under strain-controlled loading.Nevertheless,unlike strain-controlled LCF loading,even under fully reversed cycle loading for stress-controlled LCF,DD6 shows significant ratcheting behaviour due to the tensioncompression asymmetry.In addition,the LCF lifetimes under stress control are significantly shorter than the LCF lifetimes under strain control,and the culprit might be the detrimental effect of ratcheting strain on LCF lifetime.Based on these phenomena,an improved crystal plasticity constitutive model on the basis of slip-based Walker constitutive model is developed through modifying the kinematic hardening rule in order to overcome the inaccurate prediction of decelerating stageand stable stage of ratcheting behaviour.Furthermore,combining the continuum damage mechanics,a damage-coupled crystal plasticity constitutive model is proposed to reflect the damage behaviour of DD6 and the accelerating stage of ratcheting behaviour.The simulation results for the stress-controlled LCF deformation behaviour including the whole-lifetime ratcheting behaviour show good agreement with the experimental data.

Influence of Cr addition on microstructure of a 5% Re-containing single crystal nickel-based superalloy

Based on a 5% （mass fraction） Re-containing single crystal nickel-based superalloy with 3% （mass fraction） Cr, the microstructural variation with Cr addition was investigated. The experimental results show that segregation of alloying elements was enhanced in as-cast microstructure with Cr addition; and the volume fraction of eutectic is increased. However, the solidus and liquidus temperatures are remarkably reduced. With the increase of Cr content, the average γ＇ size and volume fraction are decreased in the fully heat treated microstructure. X-ray diffraction results indicate that γ/γ＇ lattice misfit becomes more negative. According to the energy dispersive spectroscopy （EDS） results, Cr is mainly distributed in the γ matrix; and more y-forming elements, such as Re and W, enter the γ matrix, while the γ/γ＇ partition ratio of Cr is inversely decreased.

Microstructual evolution and stability of second generation single crystal nickel-based superalloy DD5

The microstructual evolution and stability of a second generation single crystal (SC) nickel-based superalloy DD5 with minor grain boundary (GB) strengthening elements (C, B and Hf) were studied as a function of as-cast, heat treatment and thermal exposure. The microstructure and composition of the alloy were investigated by optical microscopy, scanning electron microanalysis (SEM), electron probe microanalysis (EPMA), energy dispersive spectrometry (EDS) and extraction analysis. In the as-cast condition,the microstructure observations and composition analysis showed that γ phase was the primary solidification phase and there were three microsegregations in the metal matrix. The morphology of these microsegregations depended on element segregations. After heat treatment, the dendrite cores contained fine and cuboidal-shaped γ′ particles with an average edge length of about 0.5 μm, whileinterdendritic regions contained irregularly-shaped γ′ particles and MC/M23C6 carbides. The mass fraction of γ′ phases was 61.685%.After exposure at 980 °C for 1000 h, no TCP phase was observed in both dendritic and interdendritic regions, indicating a good microstructual stability of the DD5 alloy at 980 °C.

Orientation dependence of transverse tensile properties of nickel-based third generation single crystal superalloy DD9 from 760 to 1100 ℃

At temperatures ranging from 760 to 1100 °C, the tensile properties of a nickel-based third generation single crystal superalloy DD9 with [100],[120] and [110] orientations were studied. The microstructures and fracture surfaces were observed by OM, SEM and TEM. Results show that the tensile strength of [100] specimen is higher than that of [120] and [110] specimens at 760 and 850 °C;while at the temperatures higher than 980 °C, the tensile strength of all specimens has little difference. The fracture mechanisms of [100],[120] and [110] specimens are the same at 760 and 980 °C. At 1100 °C, the fracture surfaces of [100] and [120] specimens are characterized by dimple features;while [110] specimen shows mixed quasi-cleavage and dimple featured fracture surfaces. At 760 °C, obvious superlattice stacking faults (SSFs) are observed only in [100] specimen;while at 1100 °C, the dislocation configurations of all specimens are similar. The difference in the number of potential active slip systems in [100],[120] and [110] specimens during the tensile deformation process is the main reason for the transverse tensile anisotropy.

Creep feed grinding induced gradient microstructures in the superficial layer of turbine blade root of single crystal nickel-based superalloy

The service performance of the turbine blade root of an aero-engine depends on the microstructures in its superficial layer.This work investigated the surface deformation structures of turbine blade root of single crystal nickel-based superalloy produced under different creep feed grinding conditions.Gradient microstructures in the superficial layer were clarified and composed of a severely deformed layer(DFL)with nano-sized grains(48–67 nm)at the topmost surface,a DFL with submicron-sized grains(66–158 nm)and micron-sized laminated structures at the subsurface,and a dislocation accumulated layer extending to the bulk material.The formation of such gradient microstructures was found to be related to the graded variations in the plastic strain and strain rate induced in the creep feed grinding process,which were as high as 6.67 and 8.17×10^(7)s^(−1),respectively.In the current study,the evolution of surface gradient microstructures was essentially a transition process from a coarse single crystal to nano-sized grains and,simultaneously,from one orientation of a single crystal to random orientations of polycrystals,during which the dislocation slips dominated the creep feed grinding induced microstructure deformation of single crystal nickel-based superalloy.