Effect of Alloying on the Microstructure, Phase Stability, Hardness, and Partitioning Behavior of a New Dual-Superlattice Nickel-Based Superalloy

A novel γ – γ ′– γ ″ dual-superlattice superalloy, with promising mechanical properties up to elevated temperatures was recently reported by Mignanelli et al . (in: Proceedings of the 9th International Symposium on Superalloy 718 & Derivatives: Energy, Aerospace, and Industrial Applications, pp 679–690, 2018). The present work employs state-of-the-art chemical and spatial characterization techniques to study the effect systematic additions of Mo, W, and Fe and variations in Nb and Al contents have on the phase fraction, thermal stability, elemental partitioning, and mechanical properties of alloys from this system. Alloys were produced through arc melting followed by heat treatment. Multi-scale characterization techniques and hardness testing were employed to characterize their microstructure, thermal stability, and mechanical properties. Alterations in such properties or in elemental partitioning behavior were then explained through thermodynamic modeling. A modest addition of 1.8 at. pct Mo had a strong effect on the microstructure and thermal stability: it minimized microstructural coarsening during heat treatments while not significantly decreasing the γ ′ solvus temperature. A reduction of Nb by 0.6 at. pct strongly reduced the γ ″ volume fraction, without affecting the γ ′ volume fraction. The reduced precipitate fraction led to a significant reduction in alloy hardness. Fe, added to achieve better processability and reduced material cost, decreased the γ ′ solvus temperature and caused rapid microstructural coarsening during heat treatments, without affecting alloy hardness. A reduction of Al by 0.4 at. pct reduced the γ ′ volume fraction and the γ ′ solvus temperature, also without affecting alloy hardness. The addition of 0.9 at. pct W decreased the γ ′ solvus temperature but increased both precipitate volume fractions. These data will be invaluable to optimize current alloy design and to inform future alloy design efforts. Graphical Abstract