Influence of the γ′ Volume Fraction on the High-Temperature Strength of Single Crystalline Co–Al–W–Ta Superalloys

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Understanding the influence of γ′ and secondary-phase fractions on the mechanical properties of superalloys is very important to optimize these high-strength materials. So far, this has not been systematically investigated for the novel class of Co-based superalloys. In this study, a Co–Al–W–Ta model alloy series was designed with compositions of γ/γ′ on the tie-line and an increasing γ′ volume fraction of up to 70% after heat treatment at 900 °C, while a few alloys are unexpectedly out of γ/γ′ two-phase region with an additional secondary phase fraction of up to 15%. The high-temperature strength and creep properties were evaluated by compression tests up to 1050 °C and compressive creep experiments at 950 °C, respectively. At temperatures of up to 1050 °C, an increasing γ′ volume fraction consistently increased the yield strength, which was not dramatically changed by the presence of secondary phases. Significant work hardening was found in alloys with γ′ volume fractions of 65–70% during compression testing, but not in alloys with either a lower γ′ volume fraction (<50%) or a high fraction of secondary phases (~15%). Similar to the yield strength, the creep strength also increased continuously with the γ′ volume fraction, but was greatly reduced with an increasing fraction of secondary phases. The best creep performance at 950 °C and 200 MPa was found in the alloy with the highest γ′ volume fraction and no secondary phases. At higher creep stresses, rafting contributed significantly to the hardening and, again, the alloy with a high γ′ volume fraction and a small amount of secondary phases exhibited the highest strength.