Variation of liquation cracking susceptibility for over–aged 247LC superalloy repair weld heat–affected zone

Abstract

In this study, the liquation cracking temperature range (LCTR) of over-aged 247LC superalloy repair welds was quantitatively evaluated using spot-Varestraint testing, especially for application in the repair weld heat-affected zone (HAZ). The metallurgical mechanism of the evaluated liquation cracking susceptibility and variation of the LCTRs of the over-aged 247LC superalloys was clarified by analyzing the microstructural characteristics at the liquation cracking surface, and using thermodynamic calculations. From the spot-Varestraint tests of the over-aged materials, the LCTR was quantitatively evaluated to be 410 and 620 K for the 500 and 1000 h over-aged specimens, respectively. These results demonstrate that the over-aged 247LC superalloys face significant and serious liquation cracking susceptibility in repair weld HAZ. Based on local element distributions at the liquation cracking surface, analyzed by transmission electron microscopy and the Thermo-Calc calculations, the underlying metallurgical mechanism of high LCTRs of overaged materials could be attributed to the precipitation of fine MC and M6C carbides during the over-aging treatment. The carbides promote local liquation at the interface between the gamma phase at temperatures lower than the equilibrium solidus (1530 K) of the 247LC. The estimated liquation initiation temperatures at the MC/γ and γ/M6C interfaces were 1125 and 1420 K, respectively.