Abstract
A mechanism leading to the embrittlement of nickel and its alloys following high temperature air exposure is proposed. This mechanism involves the internal oxidation of sulfides to oxides, accompanied by a release of embrittling sulfur onto the grain boundaries. The mechanism is shown to work in a model system of nickel containing MnS precipitates, in which a ring of internal oxidation 250 µm in depth forms during 200 hours air exposure at 1000 °C. Auger analysis shows very high sulfur levels on grain boundaries within this region, but also reveals considerable sulfur concentrations beyond it. This massive release of free sulfur had the effect of rendering the alloy brittle over the entire temperature range investigated (25 to 1000 °C). The contribution of this mechanism to the known air embrittlement of pure nickel (Ni270) and a nickel base superalloy (IN738) is investigated. Although enhanced O/Ni peak height ratios were observed in the air exposed samples of both materials, the only significant sulfur concentrations were observed on the surfaces of grain boundary cavities formed in Ni270. However, the starting sulfur levels were extremely low in both cases, and the mechanism may contribute to high temperature air embrittlement in other systems.
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R.A. MULFORD, formerly with the General Electric Corporate Research and Development Laboratory, Schenectady
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Bricknell, R.H., Mulford, R.A. & Woodford, D.A. The role of sulfur in the air embrittlement of nickel and its alloys. Metall Trans A 13, 1223–1232 (1982). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02645505
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02645505