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.

Effects of initial δ phase(Ni_3Nb) on hot tensile deformation behaviors and material constants of Ni-based superalloy

Effects of initial δ phase（Ni_3Nb） on the hot tensile deformation behaviors and material constants of a Ni-based superalloy were investigated over wide ranges of strain rate and deformation temperature. It is found that the true stress-true strain curves exhibit peak stress at a small strain, and the peak stress increases with the increase of initial δ phase. After the peak stress, initial δ phase promotes the dynamic softening behaviors, resulting in the decreased flow stress. An improved Arrhenius constitutive model is proposed to consider the synthetical effects of initial δ phase, deformation temperature, strain rate, and strain on hot deformation behaviors. In the improved model, material constants are expressed as the functions of the content of initial δ phase and strain. A good agreement between the predicted and measured results indicates that the improved Arrhenius constitutive model can well describe hot deformation behaviors of the studied Ni-based superalloy.

Morphology and chemical composition of γ/γ' phases in Re-containing Ni-based single crystal superalloy during two-step aging

The γ/γ＇ microstructure of a Re-containing Ni-based single crystal super alloy after a two-step aging was studied using scanning electron microscopy （SEM）,transmission electron microscopy （TEM） and scanning transmission electron microscopy （STEM）.The crystals were grown by the floating zone （FZ） method.Both cuboidal and spherical γ＇ precipitates were formed after a two-step aging.The size of the cuboidal γ＇ phases first increased and then decreased with the extension of the second-step aging time.Re,Co and Cr strongly concentrated in the γ phase whereas Ni and Al enriched in the γ＇ phase.Thermodynamic calculation by JMatPro was performed to explain the experimental observations.

Thermodynamics analysis and precipitation behavior of fine carbide in K416B Ni-based superalloy with high W content during creep

The precipitation behavior of carbide in K416 B superalloy was investigated by means of creep measurement and microstructure observation. The results show that nanometer M6 C particles discontinuously precipitate in the γ matrix or along the γ/γ′ interface of the alloy during high temperature tensile creep. Thereinto, the amount of fine M6 C carbide increases as creep goes on, and the coherent interfaces of M6 C phase precipitating from the γ matrix are {100} and {111} planes. The thermodynamics analysis indicates that the solubility of element carbon in the matrix decreases when the alloy is deformed by the axial tensile stress during creep, so as to cause the carbon segregating in the regions of stress concentration and combining with carbide-forming elements M（W, Co）, which promotes the fine M6 C carbide to precipitate from the γ matrix.

Solidification characteristics and hot tearing susceptibility of Ni-based superalloys for turbocharger turbine wheel

The solidification characteristics and the hot tearing susceptibility were investigated on two Ni-based superalloys for turbocharger turbine wheel, K418 and K419. The segregation behaviors of the alloying elements and the precipitation phases were also studied. The results show that the solidification behavior of K419 alloy is complicated when compared with K418 due to the interdendritic segregation of many kinds of strong interdendritic partitioning elements in the remaining liquid at the final stage of solidification. The segregation of multiple elements in interdendritic liquid results in an extremely low solidus in K419. A long residual liquid stage is found during the solidification of K419, giving rise to reduced cohesion strength of dendrites and increased sensitivity to hot tearing. A hot tearing susceptibility coefficient（HTS） criterion is proposed based on a hot tearing sensitive model. The HTS value of K419 alloy is larger than that of K418 alloy.

Microstructure evolution of a new directionally solidified Ni-based superalloy after long-term aging at 950 ℃ upto 1 000 h

The microstructure evolution of a new directionally solidified（DS） Ni-based superalloy used for gas turbine blades after long-term aging at 950 ℃ was investigated.The results show that the γ ＇ phase becomes more regular in dendritic arm and interdendritic area,while both the mass fraction and the size of γ ＇ phase increase gradually with increasing aging time.During long-term aging,the MC carbide dissolves on the edge to provide the carbon for the formation of M23C6 carbide by the precipitation of Cr at the grain boundary.The rose-shaped γ ＇/γ eutectic partly dissolves into γ matrix and the aging promotes it transform into raft-shape γ ＇.The microstructure is generally stable and no needle-like topologically close-packed phase（TCP） can be found after aging for 1 000 h.

A review of linear friction welding of Ni -based superalloys

Ni-based superalloys are one of the most important materials employed in high-temperature applications within the aerospace and nuclear energy industries and in gas turbines due to their excellent corrosion,radiation,fatigue resistance,and high-temperature strength.Linear friction welding(LFW)is a new joining technology with near-net-forming characteristics that can be used for the manu-facture and repair of a wide range of aerospace components.This paper reviews published works on LFW of Ni-based superalloys with the aim of understanding the characteristics of frictional heat generation and extrusion deformation,microstructures,mechanical proper-ties,flash morphology,residual stresses,creep,and fatigue of Ni-based superalloy weldments produced with LFW to enable future optim-um utilization of the LFW process.

Phase precipitation behavior and tensile properties of as-cast Ni-based superalloy during heat treatment

The phase precipitation behavior and tensile properties of an as-cast Ni-based alloy,IN617B alloy,after solution heat treatment and long-term aging treatment were investigated.Ti(C,N),M6C and M23C6 are the primary precipitates in as-cast microstructure.After solution heat treatment,most of carbides dissolve into the matrix except a few fine Ti(C,N)within grains.During long-term aging at 700°C,the phase precipitation behaviors of the alloy are characterized as follows:(1)M23C6 carbides at grain boundaries(GBs)transform from film-like shape to cellular shape and gradually coarsen due to the decrease of the surface energy and element aggregation to GBs;(2)M23C6 carbides within grains have a bar-like morphology with a preferential growth direction[110]and have a cube-on-cube coherent orientation relationship with the matrixγ;(3)γ?particles inhibit the coarsening of M23C6 within grains by constraining the diffusion of formation elements.Furthermore,the tensile strength of the alloy obviously increases,but the ductility significantly decreases after the aging for 5000 h.The alloy has a relatively stable microstructure which guarantees the excellent tensile properties during long-term aging.

Numerical simulation of dendrite growth in Ni-based superalloy casting during directional solidification process

An understanding of dendrite growth is required in order to improve the properties of castings. For this reason, cellular automaton-finite difference(CA-FD) method was used to investigate the dendrite growth during directional solidification(DS)process. The solute diffusion model combined with macro temperature field model was established for predicting the dendrite growth behavior. Model validation was performed by the DS experiment, and the cooling curves and grain structures obtained by the experiment presented a reasonable agreement with the simulation results. The competitive growth of dendrites was also simulated by the proposed model, and the competitive behavior of dendrites with different misalignment angles was also discussed in detail.Subsequently, 3D dendrites growth was also investigated by experiment and simulation, and both were in good accordance. The influence on dendrites growth of initial nucleus was investigated by three simulation cases, and the results showed that the initial nuclei just had an effect on the initial growth stage of columnar dendrites, but had little influence on the final dendritic morphology and the primary dendrite arm spacing.

Optimization of the heat treatment of additively manufactured Ni-base superalloy IN718

Additive manufacturing(AM) of Ni-base superalloy components can lead to a significant reduction of weight in aerospace applications. AM of IN718 by selective laser melting results in a very fine dendritic microstructure with a high dislocation density due to the fast solidification process. The complex phase composition of this alloy, with three different types of precipitates and high residual stresses, necessitates adjustment of the conventional heat treatment for AM parts. To find an optimized heat treatment, the microstructures and mechanical properties of differently solution heat-treated samples were investigated by transmission and scanning electron microscopy, including electron backscatter diffraction, and compression tests. After a solution heat treatment(SHT), the Nb-rich Laves phase dissolves and the dislocation density is reduced, which eliminates the dendritic substructure. SHT at 930 or 954°C leads to the precipitation of the δ-phase, which reduces the volume fraction of the strengthening γ′-and γ′′-phases formed during the subsequent two stage aging treatment. With a higher SHT temperature of 1000°C, where no δ-phase is precipitated, higher γ′ and γ′′ volume fractions are achieved, which results in the optimum strength of all of the solution heat treated conditions.

Characteristics of High Temperature Rupture of a Cast Ni-Based Superalloy M963

The rupture behavior of a cast Ni-base superalloy M963 at high temperature has been investi- gated. The microstructure examination shows that there exists a large amount of the carbide and γ-γ' eutectic, which is very harmful to the mechanical properties of M963 superalloy. The tensile strength of M963 superalloy both at room temperature and at high temperatures is higher than that of K17G alloy, but the tensile ductility of the former is much lower than that of the latter. In tensile fracture process with the high strain rate, the open carbides are the initiation site and the carbide/matrix interface is the propagation path of cracks. But in fracture process with the low strain rate, the carbide/matrix interface and cast microvoids are the initiation sites, and the carbide/matrix interface is the propagation path of cracks. The effective ways to improve ductility of M963 superalloy are also suggested.

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 solidification rate on MC-type carbide morphology in single crystal Ni-base superalloy AM3

In order to study the effect of the withdrawing rate on carbide morphology,MC-type carbide in single crystal superalloy AM3 was systematically investigated with sample growth rates from 3.5 μm/s to 500 μm/s.The carbide morphologies were investigated by scanning electron microscopy(SEM),and the electron probe microanalysis(EPMA) was used to characterize the carbide composition.The results indicate that the solidification rate is the important factor governing MC carbide growth morphology,size and distribution,composition and growth mechanism.With the increase of withdrawing rate,nodular,rod-like,Chinese script types of carbide morphology are observed.For the low withdrawing rate,with the increase of withdrawing rate,the carbide size becomes larger.For the case of dendritic interface,the carbide size becomes smaller with refinement of dendrites as withdrawing rate increases.The volume fraction of carbides increases with the withdrawing rate increasing.

First-principles calculations for the elastic properties of Ni-base model superalloys: Ni/Ni_3Al multilayers

A model system consisting of Ni[001]（100）/Ni3Al[001]（100） multi-layers are studied using the density functional theory in order to explore the elastic properties of single crystal Ni-based superalloys. Simulation results are consistent with the experimental observation that rafted Ni-base superalloys virtually possess a cubic symmetry. The convergence of the elastic properties with respect to the thickness of the multilayers are tested by a series of multilayers from 2γ′＋2γto 10γ′＋10γ atomic layers. The elastic properties are found to vary little with the increase of the multilayer＇s thickness. A Ni/Ni3Al multilayer with 10γ′＋10γ atomic layers （3.54 nm） can be used to simulate the mechanical properties of Ni-base model superalloys. Our calculated elastic constants, bulk modulus, orientation-dependent shear modulus and Young＇s modulus, as well as the Zener anisotropy factor are all compatible with the measured results of Ni-base model superalloys R1 and the advanced commercial superalloys TMS-26, CMSX-4 at a low temperature. The mechanical properties as a function of the γ′ phase volume fraction are calculated by varying the proportion of the γ and γ′ phase in the multilayers. Besides, the mechanical properties of two-phase Ni/Ni3Al multilayer can be well predicted by the Voigt-Reuss-Hill rule of mixtures.

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.

Effect of cooling rate on microstructure and tensile properties of powder metallurgy Ni-based superalloy

The effects of size distribution,morphology and volume fraction ofγ′phase and grain size on tensile properties of powder processed Ni-based superalloy were investigated by using two different quenching methods.Oil quenching and air cooling were adopted with cooling rate of 183°C/s and 4?15°C/s,respectively.The experimental results show that the average size of the secondaryγ′after oil quenching is 24.5 nm compared with 49.8 nm under air cooling,and corresponding volume fractions ofγ′are 29%and 34%,respectively.Meanwhile,the average grain size remains nearly equivalent from both oil-quenching and air-cooling specimens.The tensile strength at room temperature is higher for the oil-quenched specimen than the equivalent from the air-cooled specimen,but the difference approaches each other as the temperature increases to 650°C.The fractography clearly demonstrates that transgranular fracture governs the failure process at ambient temperature,in contrast to the intergranular fracture at 650°C or even higher temperature.These two mechanical responses indicate the strengthening effects ofγ′precipitates and grain boundary for polycrystalline Ni-based superalloys at different temperatures.

γ'Precipitation in an Oxide Dispersion-Strengthened Ni-Base Superalloy

?precipitate morphology and its dissolution/precipitation kinetics in a special oxiddispersion-strengthened Ni-base superalloy have been investigated. Using an advanced computer programmebased on regression analysis, the volume fraction of γ'and its composition as a function of temperaturewere calculated. The lattice constants of both γ'precipitates nd γ matrix have been compared and theresultant lauice misfit computed. Finally, the concentration of AI remaining in γ matrix was determined.The results show generally good agreements with available data for ordinary superalloys. Cornparison ismade against experimental study by using differential scanning calorimetry.

First principles study of the diffusional phenomena across the clean and Re-doped γ-Ni/γ'-Ni_3Al interface of Ni-based single crystal superalloy

Density functional theory calculations in conjunction with the climbing images nudged elastic band method are conducted to study the diffusion phenomena of the Ni-based single crystal superalloys.We focus our attention on the diffusion processes of the Ni and Al atoms in the γ and γ ’ phases along the direction perpendicular to the interface.The diffusion mechanisms and the expressions of the diffusion coefficients are presented.The vacancy formation energies,the migration energies,and the activation energies for the diffusing Ni and Al atoms are estimated,and these quantities display the expected and clear transition zones in the vicinity of the interface of about 3–7（002） layers.The local density-of-states profiles of atoms in each（002） layer in the γ and γ ’ phases and the partial density-of-states curves of Re and some of its nearest-neighbor atoms are also presented to explore the electronic effect of the diffusion behavior.