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Solution Heat Treatment Optimization of Fourth-Generation Single-Crystal Nickel-Base Superalloys

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Abstract

The optimization of the solution heat treatment (SHT) of fourth-generation single-crystal nickel-base superalloys LDSX-6B and LDSX-6C is presented. The methodological approach to optimizing the SHT process is particularly highlighted. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) measurements and electron-probe microanalysis (EPMA) mapping were carried out to investigate material properties in the as-cast condition and after SHT. The DSC equipment was also adopted as a vacuum furnace to evaluate the suitability of the SHT ramp profile and to check the safety margins with regard to incipient melting during SHT. SHT trials were carried out in a laboratory-scale vacuum furnace, after which the heat-treated samples were subjected to DSC experiments, microstructural analysis, and EPMA mapping to assess the effects of SHT peak temperatures and soak periods. From the DSC and EPMA results, as-cast LDSX-6B shows a lower degree of elemental microsegregation; hence, this alloy is relatively easier to homogenize in the SHT trials. In contrast, as-cast LDSX-6C was found to have a higher degree of elemental microsegregation; therefore, it is much more difficult to homogenize and is highly prone to incipient melting. The results of this study indicate that an increase in the SHT peak temperature and/or soak period will lead to an improved compositional homogeneity in the material as expected. After SHT, both alloys retained some residual elemental microsegregation and the LDSX-6C alloy showed precipitation of topologically close-packed (TCP) phase at the dendrite cores. The most appropriate and economic SHT process may be determined based on the methodological approach presented in this study and the requirements of the materials during service.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to acknowledge the support of Professor A.L. Greer at the Department of Materials Science and Metallurgy for the provision of facilities and Rolls-Royce plc. through the Rolls-Royce UTP at the University of Cambridge for the provision of materials and funding. The authors also wish to express appreciation to Dr. Chris Hayward at the School of Geosciences, University of Edinburgh (previously at the Department of Earth Sciences, University of Cambridge) for carrying out the EPMA mapping work in this study and to Mr. Kevin Roberts of the Department of Materials Science and Metallurgy for assistance in carrying out the solution heat treatment trials.

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Author notes

  1. Lijuan Zhang (Research Associate, Senior Lecturer)

    Present address: School of Technology, University of Wolverhampton, Telford Campus, Telford, TF2 9NT, U.K.

  2. Robbie A. Hobbs (Project Manager, MBA Candidate)

    Present address: MIT Sloan School of Management, Cambridge, MA, 02142, U.K.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Materials Science and Metallurgy, University of Cambridge, Pembroke Street, Cambridge, CB2 3QZ, U.K.

    Hon Tong Pang (Research Associate), Lijuan Zhang (Research Associate, Senior Lecturer), Howard J. Stone (Assistant Director of Research) & Catherine M.F. Rae (Reader)

  2. University Research (Materials) with Rolls-Royce plc., Derby, DE24 8BJ, U.K.

    Robbie A. Hobbs (Project Manager, MBA Candidate)

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  1. Hon Tong Pang
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  2. Lijuan Zhang
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  3. Robbie A. Hobbs
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  4. Howard J. Stone
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  5. Catherine M.F. Rae
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Hon Tong Pang.

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Manuscript submitted October 18, 2010.

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Pang, H.T., Zhang, L., Hobbs, R.A. et al. Solution Heat Treatment Optimization of Fourth-Generation Single-Crystal Nickel-Base Superalloys. Metall Mater Trans A 43, 3264–3282 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11661-012-1146-0

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