Phase-field approach assisted solution heat treatment efficient design for novel multicomponent Co-based superalloys

Fast homogenization without incipient melting is the key to designing solution heat treatment (SHT) process for single crystal superalloys. In this paper, a multicomponent phase-field model coupled with solidus temperature is developed for dynamically tracking incipient melting temperature, TIM, of alloy during SHT. The simulation process runs completely automatically only by inputting the composition information of as-cast specimen. Based on the obtained TIM-time profile, the holding temperature and the time of SHT are determined. Applying this approach to Co-30Ni-11Al-4W-1Ta-4Ti-5Cr single crystal specimen, a gradual increased TIM from 1247°C to 1293°C within 72000 s is obtained, and thus a stepwise SHT process with a short time of less than 20 h is designed. The experimental verification shows that after SHT, the segregation coefficient of the slowest diffusing element W decreased from more than 2 to 1.065, the content of harmful secondary phase has decreased to below 0.1%, and no incipient melting occurs.