Effects of directional solidification parameters and crystal selector on microstructure of single crystal of Ni-base superalloys

The single crystal of nickel-base super alloy is widely used for making turbine blades.The microstructure of the alloy,especially the deviation of preferred orientation of single crystal,possesses the most important effects on the mechanical properties of the blades.In this study,the single crystal ingot and blade of DZ417G alloy are prepared by means of the spiral crystal selector as well as the directional solidification method,and the effect of the parameters(i.e.,the shape of samples,the withdrawal rate)and the structure of the spiral crystal selector on the formation of single crystal and the crystal orientation are investigated.This method can prepare not only the single crystal ingot with simple shape but also the single crystal blades with the complex shape,the simple with rod-shape can form the single crystal easily with a relatively fast withdrawal rate,but the blade with complex shape requires much slower withdrawal rate to form single crystal.The length of the crystal selector almost has no effect on the crystal orientation.However,the angle of selector plays an obvious role on the orientation;the selector with a smaller angle can effectively reduce the deviation of preferred orientation;the appropriate angle of selector to obtain optimal orientation is found to be around30°and the deviation of preferred orientation is about30°for this selector.

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.

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.

Effects of Cr content on microstructure and mechanical properties of single crystal superalloy

Two experimental single crystal superalloys with 2% Cr and 4% Cr (mass fraction) were cast in a directionally solidified furnace, while other alloying element contents were kept unchanged. The effects of Cr content on the microstructure, phase stability, tensile properties at 1100 °C and stress rupture properties at 1070 °C and 160 MPa of the single crystal superalloy were investigated. The results show that the size ofγ′ phase particles become small and uniform, and the cubic shape turns a little regular with the increase of Cr content. Theγ′ directional coarsening and rafting were observed in the 2% Cr and 4% Cr alloys after long term aging (LTA) at 1100 °C. The rafting rate ofγ′ phase increased with increasing Cr content. Needle-shaped topologically close packed (TCP) phases precipitated and grew along fixed direction in both alloys. The precipitating rate and volume fraction of TCP phases significantly increased with the increase of Cr content. The tensile property of the alloy increased and the stress rupture properties of the alloy decreased with the increase of Cr content at high temperature. The increase of Cr content increased the partition ratio of TCP forming elements, Re, W, and Mo, and the saturation degrees of these elements inγ phases increased. Therefore, the high temperature phase stability of the alloy decreased with the increase of Cr content.

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.

Solidification Microstructures of a Single-crystal Superalloy under Ultra-high Temperature Gradient Conditions

The solidification microstructures and solute segregation of a newly developed hot corrosion resistant single-crystal Ni-base superalloy were investigated with a zone-melting and ultra-high thermal gradient unidirectional solidification apparatus.Compared with the microstructures solidified at conventional low thermal gradient conditions,the dendrite arm spacings,the interdendritic microporosity and γ/γ' eutectic,and the severity of solute segregation of the single-crystal superalloy solidified at ultra-high thermal gradient conditions were considerably reduced.It was shown that the microstructure solidified under ultra-high thermal gradient condition is ideal for the full exploitation of the excellent property potentials of single-crystal superalloys.

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.

Effects of Ru on the microstructure and phase stability of a single crystal superalloy

Two experimental single crystal superalloys, the Ru-free alloy and the Ru-containing alloy with [001 ] orientation, were cast in a directionally solidified furnace, while other alloying element contents were kept unchanged. The effects of Ru on the microstructure and phase stability of the single crystal superalloy were investigated, y＇ directional coarsening and rafting were observed in the Ru-free alloy and Ru-containing alloy after long-term aging at 1070~C for 800 h. Needle-shaped o topologically close packed （TCP） phases precipitated and grew along the fixed direction in both the alloys. The precipitating rate and volume fraction of TCP phases decreased significantly by adding Ru. The compositions ofy and y＇ phases measured using an energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscope （EDS） in transmission electron microscopy （TEM） analysis showed that the addition of Ru lessened the partition ratio of TCP forming elements, Re, W and Mo, and decreased the satu- ration degrees of these elements in y phase, which can enable the Ru-containing alloy to be more resistant to the formation of TCP phases. It is indicated that the addition of Ru to the Ni-based single crystal superalloy with high content of the refractory alloying element can enhance phase stability.

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.

EFFECT OF CARBON AND BORON ON MICROSTRUCTURE AND MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF A SINGLE CRYSTAL SUPERALLOY RR 2072

Carbon and boron have been considered to strengthen grain boundaries that might form during single crystal casting.In this study the effect of boron on solidification behavior and creep properties of the carbon doped single crystal RR 2072 has been investigated.In order to understand solidification behavior with boron addition,the solid/liquid interface morphology and solidification microstructure were examined with solidification rate.The relationship between mi-crostructural evolution and creep properties of the carbon and boron modified single crystal has been also investigated.

Effect of long-term thermal exposure on microstructure and creep properties of DD5 single crystal superalloy

The effect of thermal exposure on the microstructure and creep properties of the Ni-based single crystal superalloy in different test conditions was studied.Long-term exposure was performed at 1,000 ℃ and 1,100 ℃ for 500 h prior to the creep tests.The creep lifetime is found to be improved after the long-term exposure at 1,000 ℃ for 500 h as a result of the formation of secondary M_(23)C_(6) in the interdendritic region.The coarsening of γ’ precipitates accompanied by the formation of TCP phase lead to the degradation of alloy,which is responsible for the reduction of the creep lifetime of Ni-base single crystal superalloy after long-term exposure at 1,100 ℃ for 500 h.The creep lifetime of 1,000 oC thermally exposed sample under the conditions of 1,093 ℃/137 MPa is lower than that of heat-treated state.Thermal exposure at 1,100 ℃ for 500 h causes the creep lifetime to drop drastically.

MICROMECHANICS OF THE DAMAGE-INDUCED CELLULAR MICROSTRUCTURE IN SINGLE CRYSTAL Ni-BASED SUPERALLOYS

An analytical method to investigate the morphological evolution of the cellular mi-crostructure is explored and proposed. The method is essentially based on the Es-helby 's micromechanics theory, and it is extended so as to be applied for a material system containing inclusions with high volume fraction, by employing the average stress field approximation by Mori and Tanaka. The proposed method enables us to discuss a stable shape of precipitate in the material system, which must be influenced by many factors: e.g., volume fraction of precipitate; Young's modulus ratio and lattice misfit between matrix and precipitate; external stress field in multiaxial state; and heterogeneity of plastic strain between matrix and precipitate. A series of numerical calculations were summarized on stable shape maps. The application of the method to predict the γ' rafting in superalloys during creep showed that the heterogeneity of plastic strain between matrix and precipitates may play a significant role in the shape stability of the precipitate. Furthermore, it was shown that the method was successfully applied to estimate the morphology of the cellular microstructure formed in CMSX-4 single crystal Ni-based superalloy.

Effect of carbon on microstructure and mechanical properties of DD99 single crystal superalloy

The effects of carbon on the microstructure and mechanical properties of DD99 single crystal superalloy were investigated. The results show that stress rupture life of DD99 alloy possesses peak value at carbon content of 0.03%(mass fraction). As carbon addition is greater than 0.03%, the stress-rupture life decreases with the increase of carbon content. The tensile strength and yield strength of DD99 alloy reach peak value at 0.08% carbon and 760℃. On the contrary, the tensile strength and yield strength have minimal values at 0.08% carbon and 900℃. The tensile ductility of DD99 alloy basically decreases with the increase of carbon content at 760℃or 900℃. The amount of carbides greatly increases with the addition of carbon content. Dislocation moving is retarded by carbides so that dislocation networks are apt to form, which has an important role on the mechanical properties in DD99 single crystal superalloy.

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.

Effect of Nb content on microstructure stability and stress rupture properties of single crystal superalloy containing Re and Ru

Three experimental single crystal superalloys with 0%Nb,0.5%Nb,1.0%Nb were cast in the directionally solidified furnace,while other alloying element contents were basically kept unchanged.The effect of Nb on the microstructure,stability at1100°C and stress rupture properties at 1070°C and 160 MPa of the single crystal superalloy were investigated.The experiment results show that the primary dendrite arm spacing decreases and the volume fraction ofγ/γ′eutectic of the alloy increases with the increase of Nb content in the as-cast microstructures.The size ofγ′phase particles becomes small and uniform and the cubic shape does not obviously change with the increase of Nb content.The precipitating rate and volume fraction of TCP phases increase significantly with the increase of Nb content in the process of long term aging at 1100°C.The stress rupture lives increase and elongation decreases with increasing Nb content at 1070°C/160 MPa.At last,the relationship between the microstructures stability,stress rupture properties of the alloy and Nb content is discussed based on JMat Pro software and the lastest relevant database for single crystal superalloy.

TEM STUDY ON MICROSTRUCTURE OF LASERGLAZED SINGLE CRYSTAL Ni-BASE SUPERALLOY

The microstructure of a rapidly solidified single crystal Ni-base superalloy treated by laserglazing has been observed by TEM and STEM-EDAX techniques.Various morphologies of extraordinary flower-like MC carbide of TiC type were revealed in the nar- row interdendritic regions.While the superfine γ′ precipitate and higher density of dislocation were found in the γ matrix.

Microstructure Evolution of a Single Crystal Nickel-Base Superalloy During Heat Treatment and Creep

Microstructure evolution of a single crystal nickel-base superalloy during heat treatment and tensile creep at 1010°C and 248 MPa for 30h was observed and analyzed. Internal stresses because of lattice mismatch between and / phase provided the driving force for / shape evolution during heat treatment. More than 65 vol. % distorted cubic phase keeping coherency with the y matrix precipitated after solution at 1295°C for 32h. The shape of phase was perfectly cubic with increasing precipitate size during the two-step aging treatment. Due to the applied stress and internal stress field the continuous y1/ lamellar structure perpendicular to the applied stress was formed after 30h tensile creep.

Influence of microstructure stability on creep properties of single crystal nickel base superalloys

The influence of microstructure stability on the creep properties of single crystal nickel-based superalloys was investigated by means of the measurement of the creep curves and microstructure observation. Results show that the superalloy with 4%(mass fraction)W in Ni-Al-Cr-Ta-Co-5.5%Mo-x%W systems displays a better microstructure stability, but theμphase is precipitated in the superalloy with 6% W during aging. The strip-likeμphase is precipitated to be parallel or perpendicular to each other along the <110> orientation, and grown into the slice-like morphology along the {111} planes. The superalloy with 4%W displays a better creep rupture lifetime under the applied stress of 200 MPa at 982℃, but the creep lifetime of alloy is obviously decreased with the increase of the element W content up to 6%. The fact that theμphase is precipitated in the superalloy with 6% W during applied stress and unstress aging results in the appearance of the poor regions for the refractory elements. This is one of the main reasons for reducing the creep rupture lifetime of the superalloy.

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.

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.