Structure and preferred orientation of primary phases of Ni-Al-Co-based alloy alloyed by Rhenium after annealing and creep exposure

Abstract

The present paper investigates phase composition and fine structure of Ni-Al-Co-based alloy alloyed by Rhenium (Re) (~3 at.%), as well as studies preferred orientation of the given alloy primary phases by means of scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis. The original state was given as the alloy which underwent a complete cycle of heat treatment: stepwise homogenization, cooling, annealing, and cooling at 100°C/min back to room temperature. The alloy was further subject to annealing at 1000°C for 105 h and 968 h. It was also exposed to creep experiments at the same temperature for 105 h (loading 320 MPa), and for 968 h (220 MPa). γ- and γ′-phases were established to be the primary phases in both states of face-centered cubic crystal lattice. γ′-phase (phase with ordered atom arrangement having L12 superstructure) was the primary phase in all states of the alloy. Investigations showed that Re being able not to dissolve in the primary phases served as a phase-forming element. Phase composition and phase morphology were studied. The influence of high-temperature annealing and creep on superalloy structure and morphology of γ′-phase were defined. The influence of creep on the structure was proven to be different from the annealing effect. First, creep generated larger dissipation of orientations than annealing. Second, anisotropy of γ′-phase cuboids could be observed at meso-level. Cuboids partially joined together. Third, spheroidized cuboids could be often met after creep.