Effect of Stress Level on the High Temperature Deformation and Fracture Mechanisms of Ti-45Al-2Nb-2Mn-0.8 vol. pct TiB2: An In Situ Experimental Study

The effect of the applied stress on the deformation and crack nucleation and propagation mechanisms of a γ-TiAl intermetallic alloy (Ti-45Al-2Nb-2Mn (at. pct)-0.8 vol. pct TiB₂) was examined by means of in situ tensile (constant strain rate) and tensile-creep (constant load) experiments performed at 973 K (700 °C) using a scanning electron microscope. Colony boundary cracking developed during the secondary stage in creep tests at 300 and 400 MPa and during the tertiary stage of the creep tests performed at higher stresses. Colony boundary cracking was also observed in the constant strain rate tensile test. Interlamellar ledges were only found during the tensile-creep tests at high stresses (σ > 400 MPa) and during the constant strain rate tensile test. Quantitative measurements of the nature of the crack propagation path along secondary cracks and along the primary crack indicated that colony boundaries were preferential sites for crack propagation under all the conditions investigated. The frequency of interlamellar cracking increased with stress, but this fracture mechanism was always of secondary importance. Translamellar cracking was only observed along the primary crack.     

An Electron Microscopy Investigation of the Transient Stage Oxidation Products in an Fe-22Cr Alloy with Ce and La Additions Exposed to Dry Air at 1073 K (800 °C)

In this study, the effects of Ce (270 ppm) and La (120 ppm) mischmetal additions on the transient oxidation of an Fe-22Cr alloy were investigated. The oxidation process was imaged in situ using a confocal scanning laser microscope. The oxidation microstructures were studied by scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray analysis, and transmission electron microscopy with the help of focused ion beam in situ lift-out specimen preparation. The Ce and La, referred to as reactive elements, were found in nonmetallic inclusion particles in the forms of oxides, sulfides, and phosphates. An affected zone formed around rare earth (RE)-containing inclusion particles at the alloy free surface during the transient oxidation. This zone consisted of an internal Cr-oxide formed beneath the particle as well as a thinner external oxide scale on the surface compared with the surroundings. The relation of this microstructure to oxidation kinetics is discussed. With time, the RE elements diffused into the scale from the RE particles on the alloy surface during the high-temperature exposure. A diffusion mechanism is presented to describe these observations.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">In Situ</Emphasis> Observations of the Deformation Behavior and Fracture Mechanisms of Ti-45Al-2Nb-2Mn + 0.8 vol pct TiB<Subscript>2</Subscript>

The deformation and fracture mechanisms of a nearly lamellar Ti-45Al-2Nb-2Mn (at. pct) + 0.8 vol pct TiB₂ intermetallic, processed into an actual low-pressure turbine blade, were examined by means of in situ tensile and tensile-creep experiments performed inside a scanning electron microscope (SEM). Low elongation-to-failure and brittle fracture were observed at room temperature, while the larger elongations-to-failure at high temperature facilitated the observation of the onset and propagation of damage. It was found that the dominant damage mechanisms at high temperature depended on the applied stress level. Interlamellar cracking was observed only above 390 MPa, which suggests that there is a threshold below which this mechanism is inhibited. Failure during creep tests at 250 MPa was controlled by intercolony cracking. The in situ observations demonstrated that the colony boundaries are damage nucleation and propagation sites during tensile creep, and they seem to be the weakest link in the microstructure for the tertiary creep stage. Therefore, it is proposed that interlamellar areas are critical zones for fracture at higher stresses, whereas lower stress, high-temperature creep conditions lead to intercolony cracking and fracture.