Effect of ERNiFeCr-2 Filler Metal on Solidification Cracking Susceptibility of CM247LC Superalloy Welds

Abstract

The metallurgical aspects of weld solidification cracking in Ni-based superalloys (with Ti+Al > 5 mass%) have not been widely investigated thus far. Herein, the solidification cracking susceptibility of the CM247LC superalloy and its welds with ERNiFeCr-2 filler wire was quantitatively evaluated using a novel modified Varestraint testing method, for the successful manufacturing of CM247LC superalloy gas turbine blades. It was found that the solidification brittle temperature range (BTR) of the CM247LC superalloy was 400 K. This measurement was obtained with a high-speed thermo-vision camera. The BTR increased to 486 K for the CM247LC/ERNiFeCr-2 welds (dilution ratio: 74%). Theoretical calculations (i.e., the Scheil equation, performed using Thermo-Calc software) were conducted to determine the temperature range in which both solid and liquid phases coexist, together with the microstructural characterization of the solidification cracking surfaces. The greater increase in BTR for the CM247LC/ERNiFeCr-2 welds than that for CM247LC was attributed to the enlargement of the solid–liquid coexistence temperature range. This correlated with the formation of a low-temperature Laves phase during the terminal stage of solidification, and was affected by the diluted Nb and Fe components in the ERNiFeCr-2 filler metal. Based on the experimental and theoretical results, the proposed modified Varestraint testing method for dissimilar welds is expected to be an effective testing process for solidification cracking behavior in the manufacturing of high-soundness CM247LC superalloy welds.