Evolution of Annealing Twins in a Hot Deformed Nickel-Based Superalloy

Modeling Dynamic Recrystallization Behavior in a Novel HIPed P/M Superalloy during High-Temperature Deformation

The dynamic recrystallization (DRX) features and the evolution of the microstructure of a new hot isostatic pressed (HIPed) powder metallurgy (P/M) superalloy are investigated by hot-compression tests. The sensitivity of grain dimension and DRX behavior to deformation parameters is analyzed. The results reveal that the DRX features and grain-growth behavior are significantly affected by deformation conditions. The DRX process is promoted with a raised temperature/true strain or a reduced strain rate. However, the grains grow up rapidly at relatively high temperatures. At strain rates of o.1 s⁻¹ and 1 s⁻¹, a uniform microstructure and small grains are obtained. Due to the obvious differences in the DRX rate at various temperatures, the piecewise DRX kinetics equations are proposed to predict the DRX behavior. At the same time, a mathematical model for predicting the grain dimension and the grain growth behavior is established. To further analyze the DRX behavior and the changes in grain dimension, the hot deformation process is simulated. The developed grain-growth equation as well as the piecewise DRX kinetics equations are integrated into DEFORM software. The simulated DRX features are consistent with the test results, indicating that the proposed DRX kinetics equations and the established grain-growth model can be well used for describing the microstructure evolution. So, they are very useful for the practical hot forming of P/M superalloy parts.

Multi-Dimensional Revealing the Influence Mechanism of the δ Phase on the Tensile Fracture Behavior of a Nickel-Based Superalloy on the Mesoscopic Scale

As the key materials of aircraft engines, nickel-based superalloys have excellent comprehensive properties. Mircotensile experiments were carried out based on in situ digital image correlation (DIC) and in situ synchrotron radiation (SR) technique. The effects of the δ phase on the grain orientation, surface roughening, and strain localization were investigated. The results showed that the average kernel average misorientation (KAM) value of the fractured specimens increased significantly compared with that of the heat-treated specimens. The surface roughness decreased with an increasing volume fraction of the δ phase. The strain localization of specimens increased with the increasing ageing time. The size and volume fraction of voids gradually increased with the increase in plastic strain. Some small voids expanded into large voids with a complex morphology during micro-tensile deformation. The needle-like δ phase near the fracture broke into short rods, while the minor spherical δ phase did not break. The rod-like and needle-like δ phases provided channels for the propagation of the microcrack, and the accumulation of the microcrack eventually led to the fracture of specimens.