Skip to main content
Log in

Insight to Potential of TiB2 and CeO2 Inoculants on Microstructural Evolution in Laser Powder Bed Fusion Processed Superalloy IN718

  • Original Research Article
  • Published:
Metallurgical and Materials Transactions A Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This investigation focuses on understanding the microstructural changes resulting from the presence of CeO2 and TiB2 inoculants in superalloy Inconel 718 (IN718) processed by laser powder bed fusion (L-PBF). It was demonstrated that additions of 1 vol pct of CeO2 or TiB2 inoculant blended with the powder feedstock effectively refined the grain structure of IN718. Interestingly, compared to the TiB2 inoculant particles that were largely unchanged in the melt pool, the CeO2 particles reacted with the melt, forming Ce(Al, Ti)O3 oxides that melted and agglomerated along the melt pool boundaries and surface during the L-PBF process. The presence of CeO2 and Ce(Al, Ti)O3 oxide particles in the melt pool contributed to decreasing the cooling rate during solidification. As a result, the as-built grain structure was noticeably finer in L-PBF IN718 containing TiB2 compared to those containing CeO2, processed under the same parameters. Detailed characterization of the as-built microstructures revealed that the TiB2 inoculant particles did modestly react with the IN718 and formed minor amounts of nano-borides formed in the vicinity of TiB2 particles. Following a solution heat treatment of 2 hours at 1150 °C, the overall fraction of borides in the microstructure increased, effectively pinning grain boundaries and preventing grain growth. These borides contributed to retaining the as-built grain structure and significantly increased the microhardness by ~ 85 HV0.5 compared to L-PBF processed IN718 without inoculant addition.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig. 12

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. A.S. Shaikh, F. Schulz, K.M. Lallemand, and E. Hryha: Mater. Today Commun., 2021, vol. 26, p. 102038.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. S. Sanchez, G. Gaspard, C.J. Hyde, I.A. Ashcroft, G.A. Ravi, and A.T. Clare: Mater. Des., 2021, vol. 204, 109647.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. M. Pröbstle, S. Neumeier, J. Hopfenmüller, L.P. Freund, T. Niendorf, D. Schwarze, and M. Göken: Mater. Sci. Eng. A, 2016, vol. 674, pp. 299–307.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. V.A. Popovich, E.V. Borisov, A.A. Popovich, V.S. Sufiiarov, D.V. Masaylo, and L. Alzina: Mater. Des., 2017, vol. 114, pp. 441–9.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. D. Zhang, W. Niu, X. Cao, and Z. Liu: Mater. Sci. Eng. A, 2015, vol. 644, pp. 32–40.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. J. Strößner, M. Terock, and U. Glatzel: Adv. Eng. Mater., 2015, vol. 17, pp. 1099–1105.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. X. Wang, X. Gong, and K. Chou: Proc. Inst. Mech. Eng. B, 2017, vol. 231, pp. 1890–1903.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. R.J. Lancaster, S.J. Davies, S.P. Jeffs, D.T.S. Lewis, and M.P. Coleman: Mater. Sci. Eng. A, 2021, vol. 801, 140409.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. K. Moussaoui, W. Rubio, M. Mousseigne, T. Sultan, and F. Rezai: Mater. Sci. Eng. A, 2018, vol. 735, pp. 182–90.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. P. Kumar, J. Farah, J. Akram, C. Teng, J. Ginn, and M. Misra: Int. J. Adv. Manuf. Technol., 2019, vol. 103, pp. 1497–1507.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. L.N. Carter, X. Wang, N. Read, R. Khan, M. Aristizabal, K. Essa, and M.M. Attallah: Mater. Sci. Technol., 2016, vol. 32, pp. 657–61.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. J. PhilChoi, G.H. Shin, S. Yang, D.Y. Yang, J.S. Lee, M. Brochu, and J.H. Yu: Powder Technol., 2017, vol. 310, pp. 60–66.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. C. Li, R. White, X.Y. Fang, M. Weaver, and Y.B. Guo: Mater. Sci. Eng. A, 2017, vol. 705, pp. 20–31.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. M.T. Kim, S.Y. Chang, and J.B. Won: Mater. Sci. Eng. A, 2006, vol. 441, pp. 126–34.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. B. Ruttert, M. Ramsperger, L. Mujica Roncery, I. Lopez-Galilea, C. Körner, and W. Theisen: Mater. Des., 2016, vol. 110, pp. 720–27.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. G. AppaRao, M. Srinivas, and D.S. Sarma: Mater. Sci. Eng. A, 2006, vol. 435–436, pp. 84–99.

    Google Scholar 

  17. X. Xu, J. Ding, S. Ganguly, and S. Williams: J. Mater. Process. Technol., 2019, vol. 265, pp. 201–09.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. M. Cloots, P.J. Uggowitzer, and K. Wegener: Mater. Des., 2016, vol. 89, pp. 770–84.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. I. Gibson, D.W. Rosen, and B. Stucker: Additive Manufacturing Technologies: Rapid Prototyping to Direct Digital Manufacturing, 2010, pp. 378–99.

  20. C.R. Cunningham, J.M. Flynn, A. Shokrani, V. Dhokia, and S.T. Newman: Addit. Manuf., 2018, vol. 22, pp. 672–86.

    Google Scholar 

  21. D. Gu, Q. Shi, K. Lin, and L. Xi: Addit. Manuf., 2018, vol. 22, pp. 265–78.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Q. Han, R. Mertens, M.L.M. Sistiaga, S. Yang, R. Setchi, K. Vanmeensel, B.V. Hooreweder, S.L. Evans, and H. Fan: Mater. Sci. Eng. A, 2018, vol. 732, pp. 228–39.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. J.H. Boswell, D. Clark, W. Li, and M.M. Attallah: Mater. Des., 2019, vol. 174, 107793.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Y. Chen, K. Zhang, J. Huang, S.R. ElmiHosseini, and Z. Li: Mater. Des., 2016, vol. 90, pp. 586–94.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. M. Ni, C. Chen, X. Wang, P. Wang, R. Li, X. Zhang, and K. Zhou: Mater. Sci. Eng. A, 2017, vol. 701, pp. 344–51.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. C.-H. Yu, R.L. Peng, M. Calmunger, V. Luzin, H. Brodin, and J. Moverare: Superalloys 2020 Proc. 14th Int. Symp. Superalloys, 2020, pp. 1003–13.

  27. E. Chlebus, K. Gruber, B. Kuźnicka, J. Kurzac, and T. Kurzynowski: Mater. Sci. Eng. A, 2015, vol. 639, pp. 647–55.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. M. Gäumann, C. Bezençon, P. Canalis, and W. Kurz: Acta Mater., 2001, vol. 49, pp. 1051–062.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  29. M.H. Ghoncheh, M. Sanjari, A.S. Zoeram, E. Cyr, B. Amirkhiz, A. Lloyd, M. Haghshenas, and M. Mohammadi: Addit. Manuf., 2021, vol. 37, 101724.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  30. H. Peng, Y. Shi, S. Gong, H. Guo, and B. Chen: Mater. Des., 2018, vol. 159, pp. 155–69.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. H. Helmer, A. Bauereiß, R.F. Singer, and C. Körner: Mater. Sci. Eng. A, 2016, vol. 668, pp. 180–87.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  32. F. Geiger, K. Kunze, and T. Etter: Mater. Sci. Eng. A, 2016, vol. 661, pp. 240–46.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  33. F. Liu, X. Lin, C. Huang, M. Song, G. Yang, J. Chen, and W. Huang: J. Alloys Compd., 2011, vol. 509, pp. 4505–09.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  34. A. Plotkowski, M.M. Kirka, and S.S. Babu: Addit. Manuf., 2017, vol. 18, pp. 256–68.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  35. I.T. Ho, K.C. Chang, D. Tiparti, A.C. Yeh, and S. Tin: Metall. Mater. Trans. A, 2022, vol. 54, pp. 23–38.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  36. G. Li, X. Li, C. Guo, Y. Zhou, Q. Tan, W. Qu, X. Li, X. Hu, M.X. Zhang, and Q. Zhu: Opt. Laser Technol., 2022, vol. 147, 107621.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  37. C.M.C. Jiménez, F. Potenza, E. Magalini, V. Luchin, A. Molinari, and M.T.P. Prado: Mater Charact, 2020, vol. 163, 110238.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  38. Y. Wang, X. Chen, Q. Shen, C. Su, Y. Zhang, S. Jayalakshmi, and R.A. Singh: J. Manuf. Process., 2021, vol. 64, pp. 10–9.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  39. W. Li, Y. Xia, Y. Fang, H. Song, and J. Lei: J. Manuf. Process., 2022, vol. 84, pp. 847–58.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  40. T. Mizoguchi and J.H. Perepezko: Mater. Sci. Eng. A, 1997, vol. 226, pp. 813–17.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  41. Y. Cai, M.J. Tan, G.J. Shen, and H.Q. Su: Mater. Sci. Eng. A, 2000, vol. 282, pp. 232–39.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  42. J.G. Conley, M.E. Fine, and J.R. Weertman: Acta Metall., 1989, vol. 37, pp. 1251–263.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  43. B.L. Bramfitt: Metall. Trans., 1970, vol. 1, pp. 1987–995.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  44. T.D. Xia, X. Chen, Q.L. Li, and W.J. Zhao: Rare Met., 2015, vol. 34, pp. 662–66.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  45. C. Kenel, A.D. Luca, S.S. Joglekar, C. Leinenbach, and C. Dunand: Addit. Manuf., 2021, vol. 47, 102224.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  46. I.T. Ho, K.C. Chang, D. Tiparti, A.C. Yeh, and S. Tin: J. Alloys Compd., 2021, vol. 883, 160753.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  47. C. Ma, L. Chen, C. Cao, and X. Li: Nat. Commun., 2017, vol. 8, p. 14178.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  48. C. Ma, J. Zhao, C. Cao, T.C. Lin, and X. Li: J. Manuf. Sci. Eng. Trans. ASME, 2016, vol. 138, 121002.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  49. B. Li, B. Qian, Y. Xu, Z. Liu, J. Zhang, and F. Xuan: Mater. Sci. Eng. A, 2019, vol. 745, pp. 495–508.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  50. K.-C. Chang, M.-Y. Lee, T.-H. Hsu, Y.-J. Chang, K.-C. Lo, H.S. Kim, K.-K. Jen, and A.-C. Yeh: Metals (Basel), 2021, vol. 11, p. 1691.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  51. I.-T. Ho, D. Tiparti, and S. Tin: J. Alloys Compd., 2023, vol. 935, 167972.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  52. Z. Zhang, Q. Han, S. Yang, Y. Yin, and J. Gao: Mater. Sci. Eng. A, 2021, vol. 817, 141416.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  53. Z. Zhang, Q. Han, Z. Liu, X. Wang, L. Wang, X. Yang, T. Ma, and Z. Gao: J. Alloys Compd., 2022, vol. 908, 164656.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  54. S. Yang, Q. Han, Y. Yin, J. Gao, Z. Zhang, Y. Gu, and K.W.Q. Low: Opt. Laser Technol., 2021, vol. 142, 107240.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  55. V. Beaubois, J. Huez, S. Coste, O. Brucelle, and J. Lacaze: Mater. Sci. Technol., 2004, vol. 20, pp. 1019–026.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  56. Y.L. Kuo, A. Kamigaichi, and K. Kakehi: Metall. Mater. Trans. A, 2018, vol. 49A, pp. 3831–837.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  57. Y.L. Kuo, S. Horikawa, and K. Kakehi: Scripta Mater., 2017, vol. 129, pp. 74–8.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  58. D.J. Newell, R.P. O’Hara, G.R. Cobb, A.N. Palazotto, M.M. Kirka, L.W. Burggraf, and J.A. Hess: Mater. Sci. Eng. A, 2019, vol. 764, 109647.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  59. L. Ling, Y. Han, W. Zhou, H. Gao, D. Shu, J. Wang, M. Kang, and B. Sun: Metall. Mater. Trans. A, 2015, vol. 46, pp. 354–61.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  60. A. Tampieri and A. Bellosi: J. Mater. Sci., 1993, vol. 28, pp. 649–53.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  61. I. Gheorghe and H.J. Rack: Metall. Mater. Trans. A, 2002, vol. 33, pp. 2155–62.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  62. B. Bakhit, J. Palisaitis, J. Thörnberg, J. Rosen, P.O.Å. Persson, L. Hultman, I. Petrov, J.E. Greene, and G. Greczynski: Acta Mater., 2020, vol. 196, pp. 677–89.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  63. M.M. Opeka, I.G. Talmy, and J.A. Zaykoski: J. Mater. Sci., 2004, vol. 39, p. 5887.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  64. W.M. Tucho, P. Cuvillier, A.S. Kverneland, and V. Hansen: Mater. Sci. Eng. A, 2017, vol. 689, pp. 220–32.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  65. S. Tabaie, F.R. Aria, and M. Jahazi: Metals (Basel), 2020, vol. 10, p. 587.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  66. R. Barros, F.J.G. Silva, R.M. Gouveia, A. Saboori, G. Marchese, S. Biamino, A. Salmi, and E. Atzeni: Metals (Basel), 2019, vol. 9, p. 1290.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  67. F. Brenne, A. Taube, M. Pröbstle, S. Neumeier, D. Schwarze, M. Schaper, and T. Niendorf: Prog. Addit. Manuf., 2016, vol. 1, pp. 141–51.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  68. H. Qi, M. Azer, and A. Ritter: Metall. Mater. Trans. A, 2009, vol. 40A, pp. 2410–22.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  69. L.L. Parimi, G.A. Ravi, D. Clark, and M.M. Attallah: Mater. Charact., 2014, vol. 89, pp. 102–111.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  70. M.J. Donachie: Selection of Titanium Alloys for Design. Wiley, New York, 2002, pp. 201–34.

    Google Scholar 

  71. W. Guo, Z. She, H. Xue, and X. Zhang: Ceram. Int., 2020, vol. 46, pp. 5430–435.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  72. A.L. Greer, A.M. Bunn, A. Tronche, P.V. Evans, and D.J. Bristow: Acta Mater., 2000, vol. 48, pp. 2823–835.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  73. T. DebRoy, H.L. Wei, J.S. Zuback, T. Mukherjee, J.W. Elmer, J.O. Milewski, A.M. Beese, A.W. Heid, A. De, and W. Zhang: Prog. Mater. Sci., 2018, vol. 92, pp. 112–224.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  74. Q. Chen, Y. Zhao, S. Strayer, Y. Zhao, K. Aoyagi, Y. Koizumi, A. Chiba, W. Xiong, and A.C. To: Addit. Manuf., 2021, vol. 37, 101642.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  75. G. Yao, C. Cao, S. Pan, T.C. Lin, M. Sokoluk, and X. Li: J. Mater. Sci., 2019, vol. 54, pp. 4423–432.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  76. S. Pan, T. Zheng, G. Yao, Y. Chi, I.D. Rosa, and X. Li: Mater. Sci. Eng. A, 2022, vol. 831, 141952.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  77. L. Cheng, X. Xiong, and S.J. Dong: Trans. Nonferrous Met. Soc. China, 2011, vol. 21, pp. 317–21.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  78. N. Saunders, Z. Guo, X. Li, A.P. Miodownik, and J. Ph Schillé: JOM, 2003, vol. 55, pp. 60–5.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  79. X.J. Chen, A.C. Levi, and E. Tosatti: Surf. Sci., 1991, vol. 251, pp. 641–44.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  80. J.Q. Xu, L.Y. Chen, H. Choi, and X.C. Li: J. Phys. Condens. Matter, 2012, vol. 24, 255304.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  81. Y. Sun, R.J. Hebert, and M. Aindow: Mater. Des., 2018, vol. 140, pp. 153–62.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  82. S. Bandyopadhyay, J.K.S. Sundar, G. Sundararajan, and S.V. Joshi: J. Mater. Process. Technol., 2002, vol. 127, pp. 83–95.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  83. V. Sista, O. Kahvecioglu, G. Kartal, Q.Z. Zeng, J.H. Kim, O.L. Eryilmaz, and A. Erdemir: Surf. Coat. Technol., 2013, vol. 215, pp. 452–59.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  84. M. Kulka, P. Dziarski, N. Makuch, A. Piasecki, and A. Miklaszewski: Appl. Surf. Sci., 2013, vol. 284, pp. 757–71.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  85. A.D.C. Pacheco, M. Keddam, L.L. Rojas, M.O. Avilés, I.M. Caballero, and I.C. Silva: Surf. Coat. Technol., 2021, vol. 420, 127355.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  86. A.I. Ghahferokhi, M.K. Asgarani, K. Amini, R.E. Kahrizsangi, and M. Rafiei: Weld. World, 2021, vol. 65, pp. 329–43.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  87. S. Vernier, A. Pugliara, B. Viguier, E. Andrieu, and L. Laffont: Metall. Mater. Trans. A, 2020, vol. 51A, pp. 6607–629.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  88. A.S. Prakash, C. Shivakumara, and M.S. Hegde: Mater. Sci. Eng. B, 2007, vol. 139, pp. 55–61.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  89. J.D. Hunt: Mater. Sci. Eng., 1984, vol. 65, pp. 75–83.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  90. Y. Zhang, B. Huang, and J. Li: Metall. Mater. Trans. A, 2013, vol. 44A, pp. 1641–644.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  91. T. Sivarupan, C.H. Caceres, and J.A. Taylor: Metall. Mater. Trans. A, 2013, vol. 44A, pp. 4071–080.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  92. H. Xu, Y. Zhang, H. Fu, F. Xue, X. Zhou, and J. Xie: J. Alloys Compd., 2022, vol. 891, 161965.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  93. C. Chan, J. Mazumder, and M.M. Chen: Metall. Trans. A, 1984, vol. 15, pp. 2175–184.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  94. Z. Zhao, J. Li, P. Bai, H. Qu, M. Liang, H. Liao, L. Wu, P. Huo, H. Liu, and J. Zhang: Metals, 2019, vol. 9, p. 267.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  95. A.T. Nelson, D.R. Rittman, J.T. White, J.T. Dunwoody, M. Kato, and K.J. McClellan: J. Am. Ceram. Soc., 2014, vol. 97, pp. 3652–659.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  96. T.B. Jackson, A.V. Virkar, K.L. More, R.B. Dinwiddie, and R.A. Cutler: J. Am. Ceram. Soc., 1997, vol. 80, pp. 1421–435.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  97. R.G. Munro: J. Res. Natl. Inst. Stand. Technol., 2000, vol. 105, p. 709.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  98. S. Kou: Welding Metallurgy, vol. 431, New Jersey, 2003, pp. 223–5.

  99. O.M.D.M. Messé, R. Muñoz-Moreno, T. Illston, S. Baker, and H.J. Stone: Addit. Manuf., 2018, vol. 22, pp. 394–404.

    Google Scholar 

  100. H.Y. Song, M.C. Lam, Y. Chen, S. Wu, P.D. Hodgson, X.H. Wu, Y.M. Zhu, and A.J. Huang: J. Mater. Sci. Technol., 2022, vol. 112, pp. 301–14.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  101. P.A. Manohar, M. Ferry, and T. Chandra: ISIJ Int., 1998, vol. 38, pp. 913–24.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

This work was sponsored by the National Science Foundation CMMI # 1663068. The authors would like to acknowledge Mr. Changlong Chen in Illinois Institute of Technology for his assistance in phase characterization using ICDD PDF-4+ database (2022).

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding authors

Correspondence to I-Ting Ho or Sammy Tin.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Appendix: EDS Analysis for Powder Mixtures Used for the L-PBF Process

Appendix: EDS Analysis for Powder Mixtures Used for the L-PBF Process

See Figure A1.

Fig. A1
figure 13

EDS compositional mappings of IN718 powder containing (a) CeO2 and (b) TiB2 inoculant particles, respectively

Rights and permissions

Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Ho, IT., Tiparti, D., Liu, Z. et al. Insight to Potential of TiB2 and CeO2 Inoculants on Microstructural Evolution in Laser Powder Bed Fusion Processed Superalloy IN718. Metall Mater Trans A 55, 261–277 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11661-023-07247-x

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11661-023-07247-x

Navigation