Effect of Different Heat Treatment Schemes on Microstructural Evolution and Intermediate-Temperature Creep Properties of a Third-Generation Nickel-Based Single-Crystal Superalloy
摘要
At present, low-cost nickel-based single-crystal superalloys have become a major research focus for investigators. This work systematically studies the effects of traditional two-step solution treatment and three-step stepwise solution treatment on the microstructure evolution and medium-temperature high-stress creep properties of a new low-cost third-generation nickel-based single-crystal superalloy containing 3 wt.% Re. The results of EPMA and EDS show that both processes can basically eliminate the segregation of Al and Ta elements, while the three-step stepwise solution treatment is more effective in eliminating the segregation of Re and W elements, significantly reducing the size and volume fraction difference of γ′ precipitates in the dendrite trunk and interdendritic regions. Under medium-temperature high-stress conditions, the deformation mechanism of the alloy is the combined effect of super-dislocation pair shear and a/3 <121> partial dislocation cutting into γ′ precipitates, accompanied by the formation of stacking faults; samples treated by the three-step stepwise solution treatment are more prone to form Lomer–Cottrell locks. Combined with the analysis of creep life, the hindrance effect of “V-shaped” stacking faults on dislocation movement is stronger than that of isolated stacking faults, but weaker than that of “cross-shaped” stacking faults.