Stress Rupture Properties of the Second Generation Single Crystal Superalloy DD6 after High Temperature Exposure

Abstract

The effects of high temperature exposure simulating service conditions on stress rupture properties were studied for the second generation single crystal superalloy DD6. The specimens with [001] orientation were exposed in air at temperatures of 980°C and 1070°C for 100h to 1000h. They were then tested using conventional mechanical tests at 1070°C/140MPa to determine the effects of exposure on stress rupture properties. The analysis indicated that stress rupture life decreased with increasing exposure time. At the temperature of 980°C, the stress rupture life is more than 180h after exposure for 1000h. When the test temperature increased to 1070°C, the stress rupture life exceeds 100h after 800h exposure. The morphology of γ prime phase after exposure was observed by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Morphologies evaluations have shown that alloy DD6 exhibits excellent microstructure stability after exposure. TCP (Topologically Closed Packed) phases have not been observed. It has been also found that the morphology and size of γ prime affected stress rupture life of the alloy. The decrement in stress rupture life with increasing exposure is a result of γ prime rafting.