The development of γ-γ′ lamellar structures in a nickel-base superalloy during elevated temperature mechanical testing

Abstract

Changes in the morphology of the γ′ precipitate were examined during creep and tensile testing at temperatures between 927 and 1038 °C in [001]-oriented single crystals of a model Ni-Al-Mo-Ta superalloy. In this alloy, the γ′ particles link together to form lamellae, or rafts, which are aligned with their broad faces perpendicular to the applied tensile axis. The dimensions of the γ and γ′ phases were measured as the lamellar structure developed and were related to time and strain in an attempt to trace the changing γ-γ′ morphology. The results showed that directional coarsening of γ′ began during primary creep, and the attainment of a fully developed lamellar structure did not appear to be directly related to the onset of steady-state creep. The rate of directional coarsening during creep increased as the temperature was raised and also increased as the stress level was raised at a given testing temperature. The raft thickness remained equal to the initial γ′ size from the start of the creep test up through the onset of tertiary creep for all testing conditions. It was found that extensive rafts did not develop during the shorter testing times of the tensile tests, and that tensile testing of pre-rafted structures did not alter the morphology of the rafts. The overall behavior of the alloy was a clear indication of the stability of the finely-spaced γ-γ′ lamellar structure.