Steffen Neumeier

Microsegregation and precipitates of an as-cast Co-based superalloy—microstructural characterization and phase stability modelling

The demand for increased efficiency of industrial gas turbines and aero engines drives the search for the next generation of materials. Promising candidates for such new materials are Co-based superalloys. We characterize the microsegregation and solidification of a multi-component Co-based superalloy and compare it to a ternary Co–Al–W compound and to two exemplary Ni-based superalloys by combining the experimental characterization of the as-cast microstructures with complementary modelling of phase stability. On the experimental side, we characterize the microstructure and precipitates by electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and determine the element distributions and microsegregation coefficients by electron probe microanalysis (EPMA). On the modelling side, we carry out solidification simulations and a structure map analysis in order to relate the local chemical composition with phase stability. We find that the microsegregation coefficients for the individual elements are very similar in the investigated Co-based and Ni-based superalloys. By interpreting the local chemical composition from EPMA with the structure map, we effectively unite the set of element distribution maps to compound maps with very good contrast of the dendritic microstructure. The resulting compound maps of the microstructure in terms of average band filling and atomic-size difference explain the formation of topologically close-packed phases in the interdendritic regions. We identify B2, C14, and D024 precipitates with chemical compositions that are in line with the structure map.

Influence of rhenium and ruthenium on the local mechanical properties of the γ and γ′ phases in nickel-base superalloys

The effect of rhenium and ruthenium on the hardness of the γ′ precipitates and the γ matrix in nickel-base superalloys was investigated using a nanoindenting atomic force microscope. The partitioning behaviour of the alloying elements and the lattice misfit between the γ and γ′ phase were determined in fully homogenised samples to explain the alloying effects. Rhenium strongly strengthens γ as it predominantly partitions to γ and has a strong solid solution-hardening effect. Ruthenium strengthens both γ and γ′ due to a more homogeneous partitioning behaviour. Ruthenium was found to cause less partitioning of rhenium to γ. This results in a stronger increase of the γ′ hardness. The change in the nanoindentation-derived hardness of both phases could be mainly attributed to the solid solution strengthening of Re and Ru.

Verification of a Commercial CALPHAD Database for Re and Ru Containing Nickel-Base Superalloys

The addition of rhenium and ruthenium to single crystal nickel-base superalloys improves the high-temperature properties of the alloys. In this work the applicability of the database TTNi7 (ThermoTech Ltd, UK) for developing 4th generation single crystal superalloys containing rhenium (Re) and ruthenium (Ru) was investigated. We systematically compared experimentally determined alloy properties to the predictions of ThermoCalc with the database TTNi7. The investigated properties were liquidus, solidus and ´ solvus temperature as well as incipient melting point and segregation. Calculations were based on thermodynamic principles with the assumption of either equilibrium or Scheil-Gulliver conditions, i.e. no diffusion in the solid and complete diffusion in the liquid. Furthermore the composition of the  and the  phase of a Re- and Ru-containing superalloy was measured and compared to calculations. Our results show that the database is capable of simulating general trends of 4th generation superalloys up to 6 weight percent (wt.-%) Re and 6 wt.-% Ru. The present work shows that Scheil-Gulliver calculations can only be used as a first approximation for nickel-base superalloys.

A1-L12 Structures in the Al-Co-Ni-Ti Quaternary Phase System

The phase constituents of alloys from the (Ni,Co)85(Al,Ti)15 plane of the Ni-Co-Al-Ti quaternary system were investigated following prolonged exposure at 750°C. Microstructural investigations confirmed the existence of a continuous A1-L12 two-phase region in the Ni-Co-Al-Ti quaternary system between Ni-Ni3Al and Co-Co3Ti. The lattice misfits of alloys from this quaternary system were determined using neutron diffraction. With increasing contents of Ti the positive lattice misfit increases up to +0.79% in the Ti-containing alloys, which leads to an increasing tetragonal distortion of the  matrix phase due to the increasing coherency stresses.

Lattice Misfit of High Refractory Ruthenium Containing Nickel-Base Superalloys

The influence of Ru, Co, Mo and W on the lattice misfit of eight highly alloyed Re containing single crystal nickel-base superalloys was investigated. High resolution X-ray diffraction (XRD) was used to relate the elemental partitioning behavior and the Vegard coefficients of the elements under investigation to the measured lattice parameter of the  and  phase. The residual chemical segregation and especially the coherency stress-induced tetragonal distortion of the  matrix lattice in the high Mo containing alloys results in the observation of two different lattice parameters for the  matrix phase. This leads to three overlapping, but clearly distinguishable {002} X-ray reflections.

Microstructure, Lattice Misfit, and High-Temperature Strength of γ′-Strengthened Co-Al-W-Ge Model Superalloys

AbstractThe quaternary alloy system Co-Al-W-Ge was investigated and it was found that a continuous

Characterization of γ and γ′ phases in 2nd and 4th generation single crystal nickel-base superalloys

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Microstructure and creep strength of different γ/γ′-strengthened Co-base superalloy variants

γ/γ′ two-phase field extends between the systems Co-Al-W and Co-Ge-W. All alloys examined comprised cuboidal L1