Twinning-induced shear fracture of sub-micrometer Ni-based single-crystal superalloys at 900°C

Zhe Hong; Lingyi Kong; Xinbao Zhao; Xingpu Zhang; Huajie Yang; Jiangwei Wang; Ze Zhang

doi:10.1080/21663831.2025.2514032

Materials Research Letters (Aug 2025)

Twinning-induced shear fracture of sub-micrometer Ni-based single-crystal superalloys at 900°C

Zhe Hong,
Lingyi Kong,
Xinbao Zhao,
Xingpu Zhang,
Huajie Yang,
Jiangwei Wang,
Ze Zhang

Affiliations

Zhe Hong: Center of Electron Microscopy and State Key Laboratory of Silicon Materials, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, People’s Republic of China
Lingyi Kong: Center of Electron Microscopy and State Key Laboratory of Silicon Materials, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, People’s Republic of China
Xinbao Zhao: Institute of Superalloys Science and Technology, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, People’s Republic of China
Xingpu Zhang: Center of Electron Microscopy and State Key Laboratory of Silicon Materials, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, People’s Republic of China
Huajie Yang: Suzhou Laboratory, Suzhou, People’s Republic of China
Jiangwei Wang: Center of Electron Microscopy and State Key Laboratory of Silicon Materials, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, People’s Republic of China
Ze Zhang: Institute of Superalloys Science and Technology, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, People’s Republic of China

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/21663831.2025.2514032
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 13, no. 8
pp. 793 – 800

Abstract

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Topologically close-packed (TCP) precipitates and deformation twins significantly impact the high-temperature performances of Ni-based single-crystal (SC) superalloys. However, their contributions to failure of superalloys remain unclear. This study, utilizing in situ thermal-nanomechanical testing at 900°C, reveals a twinning-induced shear fracture in sub-micrometer superalloys containing TCP phases. Under m tension, nanotwins nucleation dominates over the shear sliding at pre-existing σ/matrix interface, inducing shear fracture via the twin boundary (TB) sliding. Density functional theory calculations confirm that TBs exhibit weaker shear resistance than the σ/matrix interfaces. These findings provide insights into twinning-induced premature failure of SC superalloys under service conditions.

Published in Materials Research Letters

ISSN: 2166-3831 (Online)
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Group
Country of publisher: United Kingdom
LCC subjects: Technology: Electrical engineering. Electronics. Nuclear engineering: Materials of engineering and construction. Mechanics of materials
Website: https://www.tandfonline.com/journals/tmrl

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