Effect of refractory elements on microstructure and fracture of rapidly solidified nickel base alloys
In order to evaluate the effect of refractory elements on the microstructure and properties, and especially on ductility of nickel- base rapidly solidified materials, three rapidly solidified alloys have been obtained by melt spinning under helium atmosphere of 0.04 Pa at linear speed of 47 ms-1 in the form of smooth 20 ∼30 ∼m thick and ∼1 mm wide ribbons. Starting materials were inert gas induction melted alloys with 12 at.% Cr and 20 at.% A1, with additions of 1.5 at.% Nb, 1.5 at.% Ta or 1.9 at.% Mo respectively, balance nickel. Samples were observed by AEM and EPMA in the as-cast condition, and by SEM-EPMA after mechanical testing at temperatures between 300 and 773K. Tensile specimens were suitable ribbon lengths with gauge length 16 mm, and initial strain rate was 10-4s-1. Results were compared with those previously obtained on a similar alloy not containing refractory elements (Ni - 15 at.% Cr - 20 at.% Al).Longitudinal sections show columnar through thickness grains (Fig.l) and in some cases equiaxed grains in the region close to the gas side. The free surface shows grains and cells with an average area in the prepared section of ∼3 μm2 and 0.8 μm2 approximately, as measured by quantitative metallography.