Influences of Post-Heat Treatment on the Microstructure Evolution and Creep Properties of Ni-Based Superalloy IN718 Fabricated by Electron Beam Melting

Abstract

In this study, the Ni-based superalloy IN718, fabricated using an electron beam melting process, was investigated in as-built and various heat-treated conditions. The relationships between the microstructure characteristics and creep properties were elucidated. Under testing conditions of 650 °C and 650 MPa, the direct-aged specimen exhibited the lowest steady-state creep rate, at 0.15 × 10−8 s−1. The superior creep resistance can be attributed to the higher volume fraction of γ’/γ”-strengthening precipitates within the grain and fine δ precipitates along the grain boundaries. Being coherent to the γ matrix, the nano-sized γ’/γ” precipitates effectively hindered the dislocation motion in the grain interior. In addition, controlled grain boundary δ precipitates inhibited grain boundary sliding and decelerated the steady-state creep strain rate during creep deformation.

Keywords

• electron beam melting
• superalloy
• IN718
• additive manufacturing
• creep