Interfacial Composition Measurements in Complex Ni-Base Superalloys

ABSTRACTIn this study, three different Ni-base superalloy / heat treatment combinations are studied in an attempt to assess the role of grain boundary morphology, composition, and phase distribution on mechanical properties, particularly time-dependent fatigue crack growth. The alloys chosen include one in which crack growth can be slowed by slow-cooling, and one in which crack growth is slow in the fast-cooled state. Both x-ray spectroscopy and energy-filtered imaging in the analytical electron microscope were used to measure grain boundary composition. The x-ray spectroscopy showed some enhancement of Cr, Mo, and W in the γ matrix at grain boundaries in the fast-cooled state, which was not present after slow cooling. Energy-filtered imaging showed no significant enhancement in alloying elements at interfaces in any of the samples studied. The results did show the tendency for the γ matrix to quickly equilibrate by second-phase precipitation, and a preference to avoid γ ‘- γ’ interfaces. The conclusions of this study are that time-dependent fatigue crack growth behavior in these alloys cannot be completely explained on the basis of grain boundary composition of major alloying elements.