Microstructure and Creep Behavior of a Directional Solidification Nickel-based Superalloy

By means of creep property measurement and microstructure observation, an investigation has been made into microstructure and creep behavior of a directional solidification Ni-based superalloy at high temperatures. Results show that after full heat treatment, small cuboidal gamma' precipitates distribute in the dendrite regions, while coarser ones distribute in the inter-dendrite regions. In the primary stage of creep, the gamma' phase in alloy is transformed into the rafted structure along the direction vertical to stress axis, and then the creep of alloy enters the steady state stage. And dislocations slipping in the gamma matrix and climbing over the rafted gamma' phase are thought to be the deformation mechanism of the alloy during steady creep stage. At the latter stage of creep, the alternate slipping of dislocations may shear and twist the rafted gamma'/gamma phases, which promotes the initiation and propagation of the micro-cracks along the boundaries near the coarser rafted gamma' phase. And the bigger probability of the creep damage occurs in the grain boundaries along 45 degrees angles relative to the stress axis due to them bearing relatively bigger shearing stress.