Non-uniform high-temperature oxidation behavior of twin wire and arc additive manufactured Ni3Al-based alloy

Abstract

Ni3Al-based alloy fabricated by twin wire and arc additive manufacturing exhibited periodic remelting bands (RB) with unique microstructural characteristics. In this work, the deposited Ni3Al-based alloy was oxidized at 1100 °C for different times to investigate the high-temperature oxidation difference caused by RB. The differences in the microstructure, grain orientation, oxidation behavior, and oxidation mechanism between RB and non-RB were systematically studied. The results showed that these RB, epitaxially grown on the non-RB during each deposition layer, displayed similar Goss textures but a higher proportion of γ + γ′ dual-phase microstructure compared to non-RB. The oxidation of the deposited Ni3Al-based alloy obeyed parabolic growth kinetics at 1100 °C for 10 h and the oxidation scales were consisted of external NiO layer, intermediate NiAl2O4 layer with dispersed Al2O3 and TiO2 particles and internal Al2O3 layer. The outward diffusion of Al and Ti elements during the oxidation process led to the decomposition of γ′ precipitations and the formation of γ′-reduced layer beneath the Al2O3 layer. The cross-section microstructure of oxidation scales indicated that the RB displayed thicker scales and poorer oxidation resistance than non-RB. The oxidation rate of the deposited Ni3Al-based alloy was controlled by the outward transport rate of the total cations (Ni2+, Al3+, and Ti4+) through the Al2O3 layer. Initial oxidation and diffusion interface analysis demonstrated that the γ + γ′ dual-phase had a higher outward transport rate of the cations, which was responsible for the thicker oxide scales on the RB.