Microstructures of a single-crystal nickel-base superalloy after thermo-mechanical fatigue

Abstract

The microstructures of a single-crystal nickel-base superalloy were observed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) before and after thermo-mechanical fatigue. Both dislocation configurations and γ′ precipitate morphologies under in-phase (IP) testing were found to be clearly different from those under out-of-phase (OP) testing. Under IP testing, dense hexagonal dislocation networks were found on the horizontal interfaces, and irregular dislocation networks on the vertical interfaces. With decreasing mechanical strain amplitude, rafting of γ′ precipitates was more pronounced. Under OP testing, no dislocation networks were found on the γ/γ′ interfaces; also, γ′ precipitates were sheared by superlattice stacking faults, and were not clearly rafted. The characteristic dislocation networks and partials of the stacking fault are analysed and the rafting mechanism of the γ′ precipitates is discussed.