Three kinds of Ni-based single crystals with the compositions of 63.8Ni-7.5Cr-5.1Co-4.8Al-1.9Mo- 0.9Ti-3Re-11.8Ta-1.2W, 61.4Ni-7.4Cr-5Co-4.8Al-1.8Mo-0.9Ti-3.1Re-11.6Ta-4W, and 60.9Ni-7.5Cr-5Co-4.8Al- 2Mo-1Ti-2.9Re-10.9Ta-1.2W-3.8Ru, in wt%, were cast in a Bridgman furnace. In the cast alloys, Cr, Co, Re, Mo, W, and Ru became microsegregated in dendrites consisting of γ-Ni, while Ni, Ta, and Al microsegregated in interdendrites consisting of eutectic γ/γ . The cast alloys were oxidized at 1000 oC up to 275 h in air to study the effect of alloying elements on high-temperature oxidation. The oxide scales consisted primarily of CrTaO4, with some NiCr2O4, NiO, and α-Al2O3. The oxidation resistance was dependent on the formation and continuity of the α-Al2O3 scale. Ta and W were beneficial, while Ru was harmful in improving the oxidation resistance. The selective oxidation of Al in dendrites led to the formation of thin, uniform α-Al2O3 scales, i.e., uniform oxidation. The competitive oxidation of active elements such as Al, Ti, and Ta in interdendrites led to the formation of porous, crack-susceptible oxide nodules, i.e., nodular oxidation. Less active elements such as Ru, Re, Ni, Co, Mo, W, and Cr tended to enrich in the vicinity of the oxide nodules. The oxidation progressed through the outward diffusion of cations and the inward diffusion of oxygen. This inward diffusion formed internal alumina islands, beneath the oxide scale.
Oxidation of Ni-Cr-Co-Al-Mo-Ti-Re-Ta-W-Ru Single Crystals at 1000 oC in Air