Nanoscale Cellular Structures at Phase Boundaries of Ni-Cr-Al-Ti and Ni-Cr-Mo-Al-Ti Superalloys

Cong Wang*, David C. Dunand

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

2 Scopus citations

Abstract

The microstructural evolution of Ni-20 pct Cr wires was studied during pack cementation where Al and Ti, with and without prior cementation with Mo, are deposited to the surface of the Ni-Cr wires and subsequently homogenized in their volumes. Mo deposition promotes the formation of Kirkendall pores and subsequent co-deposition of Al and Ti creates a triple-layered diffusional coating on the wire surface. Subsequent homogenization drives the alloying element to distribute evenly in the wires which upon further heat treatment exhibit the γ + γ′ superalloy structure. Unexpectedly, formation of cellular structures is observed at some of the boundaries between primary γ′ grains and γ matrix grains. Based on additional features (i.e., ordered but not perfectly periodic structure, confinement at γ + γ′ phase boundaries as a cellular film with ~100 nm width, as well as lack of topologically close-packed phases), and considering that similar, but much larger, microstructures were reported in commercial superalloys, it is concluded that the present cellular structure solidified as a thin film, composed of eutectic γ + γ′ and from which the γ′ phase was subsequently etched, which was created by incipient melting of a region near the phase boundary with high solute segregation.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)2680-2687
Number of pages8
JournalMetallurgical and Materials Transactions A: Physical Metallurgy and Materials Science
Volume46
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 1 2015

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Condensed Matter Physics
  • Mechanics of Materials
  • Metals and Alloys

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