Disorder strengthening of ordered L12 alloys by face centered cubic (A1) precipitates

We present a new theory of strengthening (disorder strengthening) of a crystallographically ordered L1₂ matrix by spherical, coherent crystallographically disordered fcc (A1) precipitates. There are two versions of the theory, each involving different approximations for the length of the chord, inside the precipitate, subtended by the trailing dislocation in the super-dislocation pair. Each of these versions incorporates two other assumptions involving the statistics of dislocation-precipitate interactions, which determine the average spacing of the precipitates along the super-dislocation. All versions of the theory predict a peak-strength condition at small particle sizes, followed by an extended period of overaging in which the strength decreases slowly with increasing particle size. We compare the quantitative predictions of the theory with both computer-simulated and experimentally generated data on inverse Ni-base γ′-type superalloy matrices strengthened by γ precipitates. In all cases at least one version of the theory is in excellent agreement with the data. The predicted strengthening is significant, the order of 85–110 MPa in the computer simulated results and 40–80 MPa in model precipitation strengthened inverse superalloys containing small volume fractions (≤0.04) of γ precipitates. The results are discussed in light of the statistics of dislocation-precipitate interactions and the resistance of individual γ particles to shearing by the super-dislocation pair; this resistance depends on the ratio of maximum force required to break free of the precipitate and the line tension of the dislocation pair.     

Effects of heat treatment on mechanical properties of ODS nickel-based superalloy sheets prepared by EB-PVD

A Y2O3 dispersion strengthened nickel-based superalloy sheet(0.15 mm thick) was prepared by electron beam physical vapor deposition(EB-PVD) technology.Different heat treatments were used to improve the mechanical properties of the alloy sheet.Differential thermal analysis(DTA) was used to examine the thermal stability of the as-deposited sheet.Element contents,phase composition and microstructure investigations on as-deposited and heat treated specimens were performed by X-ray fluorescence spectrometer(XRF),X-ray diffraction(XRD) and scanning electron microscopy(SEM).Tensile tests were conducted at room temperature on specimens as-deposited and heat treated.The results show that the as-deposited sheet is composed of equiaxed grains on the substrate side and columnar grains on the evaporation side.The as-deposited sheet shows poor ductility due to micropores between columnar grains.The strength and ductility can be improved effectively by annealing at 800°C for 3 h.For samples treated at 1100°C,the strength drops down due to the precipitates of Y3Al5O12(YAG).     

一种镍基单晶高温合金中碳化物热稳定性研究

利用SEM、TEM研究了一种镍基单晶高温合金中碳化物在950℃时效不同时间的退化规律。固溶处理过程中形成的MC碳化物随时效时间的增加而逐渐退化为M6 C和M23 C6碳化物。同时,由于在时效处理过程中Re元素进入M6 C碳化物中,破坏了其结构稳定性,促使M6 C碳化物也可以退化为M23 C6碳化物。至时效3000 h时,没有观察到碳化物退化的逆反应。本研究可以为高温合金高温下服役的稳定性提供实验参考。     

Evidence of multimicrometric coherent γ′ precipitates in a hot‐forged γ–γ′ nickel‐based superalloy

This paper demonstrates the existence of large γ’ precipitates (several micrometres in diameter) that are coherent with their surrounding matrix grain in a commercial γ–γ’ nickel‐based superalloy. The use of combined energy dispersive X‐ray spectrometry and electron backscattered diffraction (EBSD) analyses allowed for revealing that surprising feature, which was then confirmed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Coherency for such large second‐phase particles is supported by a very low crystal lattice misfit between the two phases, which was confirmed thanks to X‐ray diffractograms and TEM selected area electron diffraction patterns. Dynamic recrystallization of polycrystalline γ–γ’ nickel‐based superalloys has been extensively studied in terms of mechanisms and kinetics. As in many materials with low stacking fault energy, under forging conditions, the main softening mechanism is discontinuous dynamic recrystallization. This mechanism occurs with preferential nucleation on the grain boundaries of the deformed matrix. The latter is then being consumed by the growth of the newly formed grains of low energy and by nucleation that keeps generating new grains. In the case of sub‐solvus forging, large γ’ particles usually pin the migrating boundaries and thus limit grain growth to a size which is determined by the distribution of second‐phase particles, in good agreement with the Smith–Zener model. Under particular circumstances, the driving force associated with the difference in stored energy between the growing grains and the matrix can be large enough that the pinning forces can be overcome, and some grains can then reach much larger grain sizes. In the latter exceptional case, some intragranular primary γ’ particles can be observed, although they are almost exclusively located on grain boundaries and triple junctions otherwise. In both cases, primary precipitates have no special orientation relationship with the surrounding matrix grain(s). This paper demonstrates the existence of high fractions of large γ’ precipitate (several micrometres in diameter) that are coherent with their surrounding matrix grain, in a commercial γ–γ’ nickel‐based superalloy. Such a configuration is very surprising, because there is apparently no reason for the coherency of such particles.     

时效处理对粉末高温合金惯性摩擦焊接头室温拉伸行为的影响

对惯性摩擦焊扩散连接的FGH96合金试样经时效处理前后的室温拉伸行为进行了研究,并对其失效机制进行了评估。结果表明,对于焊接态（原状态）FGH96合金试样,由于焊缝区和热影响区的γ′相综合强化效果弱,晶界平直化,导致焊缝区和热影响区的强度低于基体,在室温拉伸过程中塑性应变量大;由于热影响区的晶粒尺寸大,晶界强化效果弱,且位错强化效果低于焊缝区,使热影响区成为整个试样强度的最薄弱区域,裂纹从该处萌生,断口表现出一定的塑性特征。对于时效处理后的FGH96合金试样,由于γ′相的粗化,强化相体积分数的提高,及γ′/γ之间错配度的增加,提高了γ′相的综合强化效果,使焊缝区和热影响区的强度较焊接态试样显著提高,并高于基体,在室温拉伸过程中基体的塑性应变量相对较大。连续或半连续析出的M₂₃C₆型碳化物弱化了焊缝区晶界的结合强度,导致试样从该处断裂,并出现了脆性断裂的特征。显微硬度的测试结果较好验证了焊接态和时效态试样强度的分布情况。     

Detecting recrystallization in a single crystal Ni-base alloy using resonant ultrasound spectroscopy

The use of resonant ultrasound spectroscopy (RUS) as a nondestructive evaluation (NDE) technique for Ni-base single crystal superalloys has been investigated. Manufacture of single crystal superalloys can be challenging due to the prevalence of defects induced during single crystal growth or subsequent processing. Common defects involve the presence of misoriented (non-single crystal) material that change the bulk elastic properties and, as a result, are detectable by RUS. To control the extent of misoriented material, recrystallization induced by shot peening the surface of the single crystal has been studied. RUS was then used to determine the presence and depth of misoriented material due to recrystallization. Recrystallization of shot peened cylindrical single crystal specimens occurred to a depth of 80 μm and 178  μm during subsequent heat treatments. Experimental average resonance frequency shifts of 1.835% ±1.704% and 2.380% ±2.910%, respectively, were measured over a frequency range from 20–200 kHz when compared to the baseline shot peened condition. Finite element (FE) models using the ABAQUS Lanczos Eigen frequency solver assessed the influence of recrystallization as a function of depth from the surface and showed good agreement with the measured resonance frequency shifts. For the greatest NDE sensitivity on production-scale turbine blades and other gas turbine components, a coupled RUS measurement and FE modeling approach is essential, and has the potential to improve single crystal processing approaches and manufacturing yields.     

Effect of NiCrAlY platelets inclusion on the mechanical and thermal shock properties of glass matrix composites

NiCrAlY platelets modified glass matrix composites were prepared. Their microstructures were characterized, their Young's modulus, fracture strength in bending, Vickers hardness, and indentation toughness were measured, and their thermal shock resistance was studied using quenching-strength and indentation-quench methods. With increasing NiCrAlY content, evident enhancements of the Young's modulus and indentation toughness were obtained. The NiCrAlY alloy inclusion could exert significant influences on the retained bending strength of the samples after quench tests, from 9.6 MPa for NiCrAlY-free glass to 32.0 MPa for 30 wt.% NiCrAlY-containing composites. The indentation-quench tests showed that NiCrAlY alloy inclusion elevated the critical quenching temperatures for propagation of pre-crack, from 150 °C for NiCrAlY-free glass to 225 °C for 30 wt.% NiCrAlY-containing composites. Inclusion debonding and intersection, crack deflection and bridging were observed, and are likely the micromechanisms accounted for the improvement of fracture resistance.     

A solidification model for prediction of castability in the precipitation-strengthened nickel-based superalloys

The Scheil equation was used to model the solidification path, microsegregation of alloying elements in the interdendritic regions, solidification temperature ranges, and to predict the formation of secondary structures and the castability behavior of as-cast superalloys. 4 experimental alloys with pre-specified γ-Ti,Nb,Al,Mo composition containing different Nb, Ti and Al contents were designed using vacuum induction melting furnace. The produced as-cast superalloys were characterized using optical and scanning electron microscopy equipped with energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer and TG–DSC analysis. The experiments showed logic conformity to the modeling results. The model and experiment confirmed the highest segregation behavior for Ti and Nb. All the experimental superalloys indicated the remarkable tendency to form secondary eutectic structures at the last stages of solidification. Superalloy with chemical composition of γ-3.5%Mo,1.8%Al,4%Ti,2.9%Nb showed the shorter solidification temperature range and the best castability.     

Microstructure and tensile properties of superalloy IN100 fabricated by micro-laser aided additive manufacturing

Layer by layer fabrication using micro-laser aided additive manufacturing (micro-LAAM) was successfully implemented on nickel-base superalloy IN100. It is known that IN100, a type of superalloy having high titanium and aluminum contents, has poor weldability due to weld liquation cracking in the heat-affected zone (HAZ) and strain age cracking. In this study, micro-LAAM process was optimized through a set of designed experiments to eliminate crack formation and reduce porosity. It was found that the crack-free deposition can be achieved owing to the fact that micro-LAAM process used in this study had very low heat input. Three distinct sizes of γ′ precipitates were observed on the post heat-treated samples. The volume fractions of γ to γ′ phases were found to be approximately 60–40%. Microstructure and chemical analysis results showed that γ′ phase was embedded within γ-Ni matrix while various carbides (MC, M₂₃C₆ and M₆C) were observed as precipitates at grain boundaries or within grains. Electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) was used to compare grain morphologies and size distribution of three distinctly different regions on each layer. The achieved ultimate tensile strength and yield strength are much better than the minimum requirements specified in aerospace material specification 5397 for cast IN100.     

Special features of brazing VZhM4 and VZhM5 single crystal alloys

The processes of recrystallization of single crystal nickel creep-resisting alloys in brazing were investigated. The methods of preventing recrystallization of the single crystal alloys are described. The microstructure of the brazed joints in the VZhM4 and VZhM5 alloys is investigated. The effect of heat treatment on the microstructure of the brazed joints in the VZhM4 and VZhM5 alloys is described and the strength of the brazed joints determined.