Some features of anisothermal solid-state transformations in alloy 718

This paper presents an attempt to use differential thermal analysis to study anisothermal precipitation of both the stable delta and the metastable gamma-second phases during cooling of alloy Inconel 718. Observation of the samples by scanning and transmission electron microscopy was carried out to identify the thermal arrests observed upon cooling. When the upper temperature of the cycle is above the solvus of the delta phase, a clear peak is observed that could be related to precipitation of gamma-second for all the cooling rates used in the present work. When this temperature is below the delta solvus, no thermal arrest can be observed, while when it is close to it two faint peaks were noted and associated with stable and metastable precipitation. The most striking result was that dissolution of the metastable gamma-second phase during the heating stage was found to proceed heterogeneously in the material, and this affected reprecipitation of the phases upon subsequent cooling

Trace elements and graphite shape degeneracy in nodular graphite cast irons

Graphite degeneracy in spheroidal graphite cast iron is a common issue faced by foundries. It is generally associated with the presence of so-called poisoning elements and may in some cases be suppressed by the addition of other elements. Mastering these additions is not simple in practice since industrial alloys do generally contain many elements that can affect graphite shape even when present at low or trace levels. In this work, trace and low-level elements are considered in relation with three steps of microstructure formation: (1) nucleation of graphite; (2) growth of graphite; and (3) solid-state transformations

First principle energies of binary and ternary phases of the Fe–Nb–Ni–Cr system

We present first principles enthalpies of formation and lattice parameters of iron, nickel, chromium and niobium alloys. Some of these results have been partially used in a recent assessment of the Fe–Ni–Cr–Nb quaternary phase diagram. Emphasis has been put on the fcc (A1) and bcc (A2) unary structures, the X3Y-D022, -L12, -D03, -D0a, X2Y-C14(MgZn2), -C15(MgCu2) and -C36 (MgNi2) Laves and X7Y6-D85 (μ) binary phases, and the X8Y4Z18-D8b (σ) ternary phase. We employed the state of the art to compute their properties by means of the DFT (PBE functional and PAW pseudo potentials). A comparison with experimental and theoretical data is also provided

Setting-up rules to characterize microsegregation

Characterization of chemical heterogeneities such as microsegregation resulting from solidification of metallic alloys is most often performed by EDS or WDS microanalysis with spot measurements located at corners of a regular grid. Rather than attempting a theoretical treatment of the statistics of such analyses, the quality of the procedure has been investigated by implementing “measurement” grids on numerical images that mimic solidification structures. Microstructures either with no geometrical constraints (uniform distribution of the solid nuclei) or with limited constraints that give some periodicity have been investigated. Systematic analysis of the effect of the location and size of the “measurement” grid enlightens the procedures which should be followed to minimize bias

Characterizing precipitation defects in nickel based 718 alloy

In the present study we examine the crystallographic structure of the ϒ, ϒ'' and δ phases present in nickel base 718 alloy. The chemical ordering of Nb atoms and possible planar faults that may be observed in ϒ'' precipitates are detailed. High resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) observations of various faults are reported. The decomposition of a matrix dislocation to form a locked V shaped configuration is shown. The observation along [110] type direction allows to identify the type of defect, which is observed as a pure geometric stacking fault

Resampling technique applied to the characterization of microsegregation

Characterization of short-range chemical heterogeneities in metallic materials, such as the so-called microsegregation resulting from solidification, is most often performed using EDS or WDS spot measurements. The most usual way is to perform countings on points located along a regular grid. Due to experimental limitation, the grid step is generally of the same order of magnitude than the characteristic distance(s) of the chemical heterogeneities under investigation. In such a case, the measurements can not be assumed to be independent one from each other, and the resulting interferences (correlations) preclude application of simple statistics to the solute distribution obtained. In the present work, this is clearly shown by using a resampling technique applied to "chemical" images obtained by phase field modelling

TEM Study of High-Temperature Precipitation of Delta Phase in Inconel 718 Alloy

Inconel 718 is widely used because of its ability to retain strength at up to 650◦C for long periods of time through coherent metastable γ” Ni3Nb precipitation associated with a smaller volume fraction of γ’ Ni3Al precipitates. At very long ageing times at service temperature, γ” decomposes to the stable Ni3Nb δ phase. This latter phase is also present above the γ” solvus and is used for grain control during forging of alloy 718.While most works available on δ precipitation have been performed at temperatures below the γ” solvus, it appeared of interest to also investigate the case where δ phase precipitates directly fromthe fccmatrix free of γ’’precipitates. This was studied by X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). TEM observations confirmed the presence of rotation-ordered domains in δ plates, and some unexpected contrast could be explained by double diffraction due to overlapping phases

Critical Temperature Range in Standard and Ni-bearing Spheroidal Graphite Cast Irons

Describing the conditions for reaustenitization of spheroidal graphite cast irons is of interest for their heat-treatment after casting, e.g. for manufacturing austempered ductile irons. Differential thermal analysis has been used to characterize the direct eutectoid transformation and the reverse transformation, i.e. the reaustenitization. This has been applied to a standard and a Ni-bearing alloy, with a ferritic matrix for the former, both a ferritic and a pearlitic matrix for the latter. The results are discussed in relation with the stable and metastable three phase fields. While earlier description of the direct eutectoid transformation is confirmed, the one for reverse eutectoid has been found more complex and is amended

Evaluation of (Al)-Si Eutectic Reference Temperature of A3xx Alloys

The modification level of Al-Si alloys is generally evaluated by the depression of the (Al)-Si eutectic temperature which can be recorded by thermal analysis. However, this method requires a reference temperature which should be the eutectic temperature evaluated on the relevant phase diagram. Various methods proposed to account for the effect of low level alloying elements on this reference temperature are reviewed and emphasis is put on the so-called Mondolfo's equation which is updated. Predictions are compared to experimental information from literature

Effect of Cu, Mn and Sn on pearlite growth kinetics in as-cast ductile irons

In a previously published work, pearlite growth in cast irons was investigated and it was claimed that growth kinetics of pearlite in nodular cast iron does not depend on alloying elements and that only the start temperature for the transformation is modified. Since then, the authors have investigated the effect of copper at low level of manganese and the combined effect of copper and tin at intermediate manganese contents. In the first case, thermal records confirmed that copper decreases the formation temperature for both ferrite and pearlite. In the second work, an optimised content for tin, manganese and copper was found so as to improve mechanical properties while keeping fully pearlitic structures. The thermal records obtained during this latter study are here used to estimate the pearlite growth kinetics and the effect of copper and tin on it. Tin has been shown to reduce pearlite undercooling (increase of start transformation temperature) and thus to favour the formation of this constituent