High cycle fatigue behavior of the second generation single crystal superalloy DD6

The second generation single crystal superalloy DD6 with 0.10%Hf and 0.34%Hf （in mass fraction） was subjected to high-cycle fatigue （HCF） loading at temperatures of 700 ℃ in ambient atmosphere. SEM was used to determine the initiation site and the failure mechanism. Evolution of the microstructure was investigated by TEM observation. The results show that fatigue limit of DD6 alloy with 0.34%Hf is a little smaller than that of the alloy with 0.10%Hf. The fatigue cracks initiated on the surface or near the surface of the specimens. The crack would propagate along { 111 } octahedral slip planes, rather than perpendicular to the loading axis of specimen. Typical fatigue striation formed in steady propagation of fatigue crack. The fracture mechanisms of the high cycle fatigue of DD6 alloys with 0.10%Hf and 0.34%Hf are quasi-cleavage fracture. Different types of dislocation structures were developed during high cycle fatigue deformation.

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 ruthenium on γ' precipitation behavior and evolution in single crystal superalloys

The effect of Ru on γ＇ precipitation behavior and evolution in single crystal superalloys with different Ru contents were investigated by scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive spectroscopy,3D atomic probing,differential scanning calorimetry.The results show that the solvus of the γ＇ phase decreases gradually with increasing Ru content in the alloys by casting or by the same solution and aging treatments,the alloy with a larger Ru content yields a smaller γ＇ phase.The addition of Ru increases the growth rate and coarsening rate of the γ＇ phase.Ru mainly distributes in the γ phase,which causes more Re and Mo partition into the γ＇ phase,increasing the absolute value of mismatch and the rafting rate of the γ＇ phase.

Influence of temperature on tensile behavior and deformation mechanism of Re-containing single crystal superalloy

Tensile properties of a Re-containing single crystal superalloy were determined within the temperature range from 20 to 1 100 ℃with a constant strain rate of 1.67 ×10^-4 s^-1.From room temperature to 600 ℃,the yield strength increases slightly with increasing temperature.The yield strength decreases to aminimum at 760 ℃,while a maximum is reached dramatically at 800 ℃.The elongation and area reduction decrease gradually from room temperature to 800 ℃.Above 800 ℃,the yield strength decreases significantly with increasing temperature.The γ＇ phase is sheared by antiphase boundary （APB） below 600 ℃while elongated SSF （superlattice stacking fault） is left in γ＇ as debris.At 760 ℃the γ＇ phase is sheared by a/3 112 superpartial dislocation,which causes decrease of yield strength due to low energy of SSF.Above 800 ℃dislocations overcome γ＇ through by-passing mechanism.

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.

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.

Isothermal oxidation behavior of single crystal superalloy DD6

The isothermal oxidation behavior of the second generation single crystal superalloy DD6 was studied at 1050 ℃ and 1100 ℃ in ambient atmosphere.Morphology of oxides was examined by SEM and their composition was analyzed by XRD and EDS.The experimental results show that DD6 alloy obeys subparabolic rate law during oxidation of 100 h at 1050 ℃ and 1100 ℃.The oxide scale exposed at 1050 ℃ is made up of an outer NiO layer with a small amount of Al2O3 and an inner Al2O3 layer.The oxide scale exposed at 1100 ℃ is made up of an outer Al2O3 layer with a small amount of NiO,an intermediate layer,mainly composed of Cr2O3 and TaO2,and an inner Al2O3 layer.The γ＇-free layer was formed under the oxide scale at two temperatures.

Influence of spiral crystal selector on crystal orientation of single crystal superalloy

To increase efficiency and improve performance, reducing cost and emissions, advanced single crystal Ni-based superalloys are required in aerospace propulsion and power generating gas turbines. With the development of alloy, significant improvements in casting techniques have been achieved by introducing the directionally solidified （DS） casting process followed by single crystal （SX） technique. The deviation of preferred orientation of single crystal superalloys is one of the most important defects in casting. In directional solidification equipment with high temperature gradient, single crystal specimens of DZ417G alloy were prepared successfully by the modified Bridgeman method with spiral grain selector. The orientation was investigated by means of X-ray diffraction （XRD） and electron backscattered diffraction （EBSD）.The results show that the crystal selector with a smaller angle can effectively reduce the deviation of preferred orientation.

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.

Kinetics and microstructural evolution during recrystallization of a Ni_3Al-based single crystal superalloy

The recrystallization kinetics and microstructural evolution of a Ni3Al-based single crystal superalloy were presented, especially the different recrystallization behaviors between the dendrite arm and the interdendritic region. The single crystal alloy was deformed by grit blasting. A succeeding annealing under inert atmosphere at 1280 ℃ for different time led to the formation of recrystallized grains close to the grit blasting surface. It was found that the recrystallization depth and velocity in the dendrite arm were respectively deeper and faster than those in the interdendritic region where the Y-NiMo phase existed. The recrystallization process in the interdendritic region was significantly inhibited by the Y-NiMo precipitates. However, the pinning effect gradually weakened with the annealing time due to the dissolution of the Y-NiMo phase, and the recrystallization depth in the dendrite arm was deeper than that in the interdendritic region.

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.

Transient Liquid Phase Bonding of Ni-base Single Crystal Superalloy

The Ni-base single crystal superalloy was bonded by the transient liquid phase (TLP) bonding, using a Ni-base flexible metal cloth as an insert alloy. TLP bonding of superalloy was carried out at 1473-1523 K for 0.5-24 h in vacuum. The [001] orientation of each test specimen was aligned perpendicular to the joint interface. The bonded region was observed by optical microscopy, and the microstructural and compositional analyses across the bonded interlayer were performed by using a scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The electron back scattering diffraction (EBSD) method was applied to determine the crystallographic orientation. The results indicated that the chemical homogeneity across the bonded region can be achieved, and γ' phase both in the bonded interlayer and in the superalloy substrate is almost identical, while the bonded interlayer had almost matched the crystallographic orientation of the bonded substrates.

Simulation of stray grain formation at the platform during Ni-base single crystal superalloy DD403 casting

The mechanism of stray grain formation at the platform of turbine blade simulator and the effect of withdrawal rate （V） on the stray grain phenomenon have been investigated using a macro-scale ProCAST coupled with a 3D Cel ular Automaton Finite Element （CAFE） model. The results indicate that the stray grains nucleate at the edges of platform at V=150μm·s-1 and 200μm·s-1. Using ProCAST computer simulation software, it was proven that the stray grain formation is signiifcantly dependent on the undercooling and the temperature ifeld distribution in the platform. The macroscopic curvature of the liquidus isotherm becomes markedly concave with an increase in the withdrawal rate. The probability of stray grain formation at the edges of platform can be increased by increasing the withdrawal rate in the range of 70μm·s-1 to 200μm·s-1.

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.

Multiscale modelling and simulation of single crystal superalloy turbine blade casting during directional solidification process

As the key parts of an aero-engine,single crystal(SX)superalloy turbine blades have been the focus of much attention.However,casting defects often occur during the manufacturing process of the SX turbine blades.Modeling and simulation technology can help to optimize the manufacturing process of SX blades.Multiscale coupled models were proposed and used to simulate the physical phenomena occurring during the directional solidification(DS)process.Coupled with heat transfer(macroscale)and grain growth(meso-scale),3D dendritic grain growth was calculated to show the competitive grain growth at micro-scale.SX grain selection behavior was studied by the simulation and experiments.The results show that the geometrical structure and technical parameters had strong influences on the grain selection effectiveness.Based on the coupled models,heat transfer,grain growth and microstructure evolution of a complex hollow SX blade were simulated.Both the simulated and experimental results show that the stray grain occurred at the platform of the SX blade when a constant withdrawal rate was used in manufacturing process.In order to avoid the formation of the stray crystal,the multi-scale coupled models and the withdrawal rate optimized technique were applied to the same SX turbine blade.The modeling results indicated that the optimized variable withdrawal rate can achieve SX blade castings with no stray grains,which was also proved by the experiments.

An anisotropic micromechanics model for predicting the rafting direction in Ni-based single crystal superalloys

An anisotropic micromechanics model based on the equivalent inclusion method is developed to investigate the rafting direction of Ni-based single crystal superalloys. The micromechanical model considers actual cubic structure and orthogonal anisotropy properties. The von Mises stress, elastic strain energy density, and hydrostatic pressure in dif- ferent inclusions of micromechanical model are calculated when applying a tensile or compressive loading along the [001] direction. The calculated results can successfully pre- dict the rafting direction for alloys exhibiting a positive or a negative mismatch, which are in agreement with pervious experimental and theoretical studies. Moreover, the elastic constant differences and mismatch degree of the matrix and precipitate phases and their influences on the rafting direction are carefully discussed.

Effects of loading rate and peak load on nanoindentation creep behavior of DD407 Ni-base single crystal superalloy

Nanoindentation experiments were conducted under loading rates of 500–6000μN/s and applied peak loads of 4000-12000μN to measure the creep behavior of DD407 Ni-base single crystal superalloy at room temperature.Experimental results demonstrated that DD407 Ni-base single crystal superalloy had a good creep resistance,but its creep properties were sensitive to the loading rate and peak load.The fitting creep parameters significantly increased with increasing loading rate and peak load based on the Findley’s model,and the corresponding creep mechanism was governed by dislocation based on the calculation of creep stress exponent.During nanoindentation creep tests,it was found that the hardness and reduced modulus decreased with increasing the loading rate and peak load,and through a dimensionless analysis,it was also noted that the effect of the dimensionless loading rate was stronger than that of dimensionless peak load on the creep properties.

Crack growth behavior of SRR99 single crystal superalloy under thermal fatigue

The thermal fatigue behavior of a single crystal superalloy SRR99 was investigated. Specimens with V-type notch were tested at the peak temperatures of 900, 1000, and 1100℃. The crack growth curves as a function of the number of cycles were plotted. With the increase of peak temperature, the crack initiation life was shortened dramatically. Through optical microscopy （OM） and scanning electron microscopy （SEM） observation, it was found that multiple small cracks nucleated at the notch tip region but only one or two of them continued to develop in the following thermal cycles. The primary cracks generally propagated along a preferential direction. Microstructure changes after thermal fatigue were also discussed on the basis of SEM observation.

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.

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.