Microstructure and tensile properties of Ni3 (Si,Ti) alloys containing second phase dispersions

Abstract

The alloying behaviour, microstructure, and high temperature mechanical properties of quaternary polycrystalline Ni₃ (Si,Ti), which was alloyed with transition elements V, Nb, Zr, and Hf beyond their maximum solubility limits, were investigated. The solubility limits of the quaternary elements in the L1₂ Ni₃ (Si,Ti) phase were determined to be ranked in the sequence of Nb > V > Hf > Zr, and correlated with the size misfit parameter between Si and the quaternary element X, and with the difference in formation enthalpy between Ni₃ Si and Ni₃ X. The second phases (dispersions) formed beyond the solubility limit were identified as a face centred cubic type Ni solid solution for the V containing Ni₃ (Si,Ti) alloy and Ni₃ X type compounds of the Nb, Zr, and Hf containing Ni₃ (Si,Ti) alloys. The second phase dispersions in the L1₂ phase matrix resulted in strengthening over a wide range of temperatures. The high temperature tensile elongation was improved by the introduction of the second phase dispersions. Among the quaternary Ni₃ (Si,Ti) alloys observed in the present study, the Nb containing Ni₃ (Si,Ti) alloy with the Nb containing second phase dispersion was shown to have the most favourable mechanical properties.     

Alloy design for Al addition on microstructure and mechanical properties of Ni3(Si,Ti) alloy

The effect of Al addition on the microstructure and tensile properties of Ni₃(Si,Ti) alloys with an L1₂ ordered structure, which were fabricated through thermomechanical processing from arc-melted ingots, was investigated. Al was added to a Ni₃(Si,Ti) alloy by using two methods such that Al substituted for (1) only Ti and (2) both Ni and Ti along a Ni₃(Si,Ti)-Ni₃Al pseudo-binary line. In the case of the alloys prepared by the former method, the addition of more than 4 at.% Al resulted in a two-phase microstructure consisting of disordered fcc Ni solid solution dispersions in the L1₂ matrix, while in the case of the alloys prepared by the latter method, the addition of 4 at.% Al retained the L1₂ single-phase microstructure. In the case of the 4 at.% Al-added alloys, the room-temperature tensile properties were similar and independent of the alloying methods, whereas the high-temperature yield stress was higher in the alloys prepared by the latter method than in the case of the alloys prepared by the former method. These results suggest that a single-phase microstructure consisting of an entire L1₂ structure is favorable for obtaining high-temperature tensile properties.     

Microstructure of interfacial reaction zone in SCS-6 SiC fibre reinforced super α2 composites

Abstract

The microstructure of the interfacial reaction zone in SCS-6 SiC/super α2 composites heat treated at 700°C for 3000 h was investigated by means of analytical transmission electron microscopy. The very fine grained reaction layer adjacent to the carbon coating of the SiC fibre was found to consist of two sub layers, determined to be (Ti, V)C and (Ti, V,Nb)₅Si₃. The second layer is (Ti,Nb)C with large equiaxed grainsfollowed by the third layer consisting of the (Ti,Nb)₃(Al,Si)C phase. This layer is separated from the matrix by a fourth layer with the phase composition (Ti,Nb)₅(Si,Al)₃. At some interface positions, the two layers of(Ti,Nb)C and (Ti,Nb)₃(Al,Si)C are separated by an additional layer of the (Ti,Nb)₃(Si,Al) phase. The thickening of the interfacial reaction zone at 700°C is mainly due to the layers of (Ti, Nb)₃(Al,Si)C and (Ti,Nb)₃(Si,Al). The growth of these two layers is probably responsible for the degradation of the mechanical properties of the composites.     

Mechanical and chemical properties of Ni3Si and Ni3(Si,Ti) alloys multiphased by chromium addition

Abstract

The alloying behaviour and microstructure of Ni–Si–Cr ternary and Ni–Si–Ti–Cr quaternary alloys were first characterised by optical microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and scanning electron microscopy with electron probe analysis. The microstructures of the Ni–Si–Cr ternary alloys consisted of large dispersed Ni₅Si₂ phase and finely precipitated Ni₃Si phase in nickel solid solution, while the Ni–Si–Ti–Cr quaternary alloys consisted of finely precipitated Ni₃(Si,Ti) phase and nickel solid solution. Then, the high temperature mechanical properties, bend strength, and oxidation and corrosion properties of the alloys were investigated. The Ni–Si–Cr ternary alloys showed significant strengthening over a wide range of temperatures, and also large compressive plastic deformation at high temperatures. The strength and fracture toughness at ambient temperatures were correlated with the volume fraction of Ni₅Si₂ phase. The Ni–Si–Ti–Cr quaternary alloys did not show increased yield strength, but exhibited improved tensile ductility and plasticity over a wide range of temperatures. Both Ni–Si–Cr ternary and Ni–Si–Ti–Cr quaternary alloys showed substantially improved oxidation resistance in air at 1173 K, compared with Ni₃Si and Ni₃(Si,Ti) alloys. Also, the Ni–Si–Cr ternary and Ni–Si–Ti–Cr quaternary alloys showed corrosion resistance comparable to that of the Ni₃Si and Ni₃(Si,Ti) alloys.     

Dissimilar joining of Ti3Al-based alloy to Ni-based superalloy by arc welding technology using gradient filler alloys

In this study, Ti–Al–Nb, Ti–Ni–Nb and Ni–Cr–Nb system alloys were designed and incorporated in order to construct a gradient structure at the surface of the joined Ti₃Al base material. And the Ti₃Al-based alloy and Ni-based superalloy were successfully joined together using gas tungsten arc (GTA) welding technology. The microstructure evolution, mechanical properties and fractured behaviors of the joints were investigated. The gradient structure remarkably decreased the formation tendency of brittle phases within the joints compared with a single filler alloy and thus improved the joint strength effectively. The average room-temperature tensile strength of the Ti₃Al/In718 dissimilar joint reached 353 MPa, and the strength value at 873 K was 245 MPa. At the Ti–Ni–Nb/Ni–Cr–Nb interface, some Ni₃(Nb, Ti) + (Nb, Ti)Cr₂ and TiNi₃ phases were detected in the Ti–Ni–Nb matrix. It was believed that their presence decreased the room-temperature strength of the Ti–Ni–Nb alloy but improved its high-temperature strength.     

Mechanical properties of Ni3(Si,Ti) polycrystals alloyed with substitutional additions

The mechanical properties of the L1₂-type Ni₃(Si, Ti) polycrystals, which were alloyed with 1–2 at% of various transition metals and also doped with boron, were investigated over a wide range of temperatures. The addition of Hf enhanced the levels of yield stress whereas the addition of Cr, Mn and Fe reduced the levels of the yield stress over a wide range of temperatures. Ni₃(Si, Ti) alloyed with Cr, Mn and Fe showed a shallow minimum in the yield stress-temperature curves. This result was correlated with the modification of the micro-cross-slip process by the additives. At low temperatures, the addition of Hf and Nb slightly reduced the elongation, while the addition of Cr, Mn and Fe improved elongation. This elongation behaviour was interpreted as the alloying effect on the intergranular cohesive strength of L1₂ ordered alloys. At high temperatures, the elongation of Ni₃(Si, Ti) alloyed with Hf showed a particularly high value. This elongation behaviour is discussed based on the alloying effect on the competition between dynamic recrystallization and cavitation at grain boundaries. The fracture surfaces exhibited a variety of fracture patterns, depending on temperature and the alloy, and were primarily well correlated with the elongation behaviour. The ductilities of most of the alloys at high temperatures were reduced by the tests in air.     

Environmental effect on mechanical properties of recrystallized L12-type Ni3(Si,Ti) intermetallics

The environmental effect on the mechanical properties of boron-doped and undoped Ni₃(Si, Ti) polycrystals was investigated by tensile testing in air from room temperature to 1073 K, and the results were compared with those obtained previously by tensile testing in vacuum. The environmental effect for the Ni₃(Si, Ti) alloys was significant at ambient temperatures whereas that for the boron-doped Ni₃(Si, Ti) alloys was considerable at elevated temperatures. When these samples at associated temperatures were tensile tested in air and also at low strain rate, intergranular fracture was dominant. It was suggested that the environmental embrittlements at low and high temperatures were due to hydrogen and oxygen absorbed from the air, respectively, and were caused by the weakening of the grain-boundary cohesion. It was proposed that boron competing with hydrogen, for site occupation or for its effectiveness at grain boundaries, has the effect of suppressing hydrogen embrittlement, whereas it was suggested that the low-melting phases, consisting of boron and oxygen (and/or constituent atoms), may be responsible for the ductility loss in the boron-doped Ni₃(Si, Ti) alloys.     

The study of constitutional phases in a Ni47Ti44Nb9 shape memory alloy

The constitutional phases and microstructure of Ni₄₇Ti₄₄Nb₉ alloy have been studied by means of optical microscopy, electron probe X-ray microanalyses (EPMA) and X-ray diffraction. It has been shown that the microstructure of the experimental alloy consists of three phases:TiNi matrix, niobium-rich phase and Ti₃(Ni,Nb)₂ compound. The Nb-rich phase is determined to be β -Nb with bcc structure containing a small amount of Ni and Ti. The β -Nb is a soft phase which forms a eutectic structure with TiNi phase during solidification. After hot working the soft β -Nb phase is dispersed in TiNi matrix and gives rise to a wide transformation hysteresis in the alloy. The Ti3(Ni,Nb)₂ is a harder and embrittlemental phase.     

Microstructural evolution and mechanical property in dual two-phase intermetallic alloys composed of geometrically close-packed Ni3 X (X: Al and V) containing Nb

Dual two-phase intermetallic alloys composed of geometrically close-packed (GCP) structures of Ni₃Al (L1₂) and Ni₃V (D0₂₂) containing Nb were investigated in terms of microstructural evolution during low-temperature annealing (aging) and the related mechanical properties. The eutectoid region, i.e. the prior Al phase (Ni solid solution) is composed of the lamellar-like structure consisting of Ni₃Al (L1₂) and Ni₃V (D0₂₂) even at an early aging stage, and then coarsen with increasing aging time. The lamellar-like structure tend to align along direction and on {001} plane in the prior A1 phase (or the L1₂ phase). In a wide range of temperature, the dual two-phase intermetallic alloys showed high yield and tensile strength, and also reasonable tensile ductility, accompanied with ductile fracture mode. The observed mechanical properties were less sensitive to the microstructural evolution during low-temperature annealing (aging), meaning that the present dual two-phase intermetallic alloy is promising for a new type of high-temperature structural material.     

Microstructure and mechanical properties of the superalloy ATI Allvac 718Plus™

ATI Allvac^® 718Plus™ is a novel nickel-based superalloy, which was designed for heavy-duty applications in aerospace turbines. In the present study the high-resolution investigation techniques, atom probe tomography, electron microscopy and in situ high-temperature small-angle neutron scattering were used for a comprehensive microstructural characterization. The alloy contains nanometer-sized spherical γ′ phase precipitates (Ni₃(Al,Ti)) and plate-shaped δ phase precipitates (Ni₃Nb) of micrometer size. The precipitation kinetics of the γ′ phase can be described by a classical model for coarsening. The precipitation strongly influences the mechanical properties and is of high scientific and technological interest.     

Mechanical properties of recrystallized L12-type Ni3(Si,Ti) intermetallics

The mechanical properties of the Ni₃(Si, Ti) alloys undoped and doped with 50 p.p.m. boron, both of which were polycrystalline specimens prepared by recrystallization, were investigated by tensile testing. The yield stress was found to increase with increasing test temperature to a maximum at 800 K, followed by a decrease. The tensile elongation was highest at room temperature and tended to decrease with increasing temperature for both alloys, but was consistently higher in the boron-doped Ni₃(Si, Ti) alloys than in the undoped ones over all the test temperatures. The change in the ultimate tensile stress (UTS) with temperature was similar to that of tensile elongation. The transgranular fracture became dominant as the elongation increased, regardless of the alloys and the testing temperature. Thus, this work again verified that the alloying method proposed by the present authors is useful for improving the grain-boundary cohesion of L1₂-type ordered alloys.     

Microstructure, mechanical property and chemical property in Ni3Al-Ni3Ti-Ni3Nb-based multi-intermetallic alloys

Microstructure, high-temperature compressive and tensile deformation, and corrosion property of multi-phase alloys based on Ni₃Al-Ni₃Ti-Ni₃Nb pseudo-ternary alloy system were investigated. The microstructures of these alloys were largely dependent on alloy composition but independent of annealing temperature. Alloys composed of multi-phase microstructures of L1₂, D0₂₄ and D0_a showed substantially enhanced compressive yield stress as well as a certain amount of compressive plasticity at whole temperature, while they did not show reasonable tensile elongation at whole temperature. Also, alloys composed of lamellar-like multi-phase microstructures are effective in enhancing compressive yield stress particularly at high temperature. Multi-phase alloys with low Nb contents have good corrosion resistance, especially in high concentration of sulfuric acid.     

Plastic flow instabilities of L12 Ni3Al alloys at intermediate temperatures

The serrated plastic flow of L1₂ Ni₃Al alloys at intermediate temperatures was investigated using tensile tests. The effects of temperature, strain rate and composition were examined. The serrated plastic flow accompanied by the lowest (negative) strain-rate sensitivity was observed most strongly at 673 K and at a strain rate of 3.2 × 10^–4 s^–1. The serrated plastic flow became more significant as the alloy departed from a stoichiometric composition. The static strain aging at 673 K resulted in a reduced flow strength. The activation energy of the serrated plastic flow was estimated to be about 66 kJ/mol, which suggests that it is smaller than that for lattice diffusion of solutes in L1₂ lattices. The serrated plastic flow behavior of the Ni₃Al alloys was compared with that of the L1₂ Co₃Ti and Ni₃(Si,Ti) alloys, and is qualitatively explained on the basis of the dynamics of solutes in the core of dissociated screw dislocations.     

Resulting morphologies on quenching of titanium aluminide alloys

Abstract

The effect of alloying elements (aluminium, silicon, niobium, and zirconium) on the mechanism and morphology of the allotropic transformation Ti-β(bcc) → Ti-α(hcp), occurring during the quenching of binary, ternary, and quaternary titanium aluminide alloys, has been studied. The alloys investigated were (at.-%) Ti–16Al, Ti–16Al–1Si, Ti–16Al–3·5Si, Ti–14Al–1Si–1Nb, Ti–14Al–1Si–1Zr, Ti–22Al, Ti–22Al–1Si, Ti–22Al–3·5Si, Ti–20Al–1Si–1Nb, and Ti–20Al–1Si–1Zr. The allotropic transformation in these alloys presented a very narrow temperature range for the formation of all possible α morphologies resulting from quenching. The different morphologies of α phase observed have been correlated with the competing mechanisms of β decomposition. The morphological observations indicated that small variations in thermodynamic and kinetic conditions in the β phase might account for changes in the mechanisms of formation and growth of the α phase. Additionally, the effect of the alloying elements on the ordering reaction α → α₂ occurring during quenching has been investigated. Silicon addition promoted the formation of columnar α₂ domains during quenching.     

Effect of silicon on microstructure of Ti3Al alloys containing niobium

Abstract

The effect of silicon content on the microstructure and phases present in Ti–(20–23)Al–11Nb alloys has been studied in the temperature range 800–1270°C.Four phases, β_o, α₂, O, and a silicide, are formed. The parent β_o is ordered at 1270°C. At 1050°C α₂ is formed which exhibits a higher silicon solubility than the parent β_o. A peritectoid transformation β₀+silicide→α₂ is proposed. Assuming that niobium substitutes for titanium and silicon for aluminium, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopic data suggest that the α₂ phase, unlike that in binary Ti–Al alloys, is highly stoichiometric and of the form (Ti+Nb)₃(Al+Si). Similarly the silicide corresponds to binary Ti₅Si₃ with the same site substitution as in the α₂ phase. The O phase is orthorhombic and similar in composition to the α₂ which it replaces: its formation is promoted by silicon.

MST/3088     

Microstructures and mechanical properties of Ti3Al/Ni-based superalloy joints brazed with AuNi filler metal

For the purpose of high-temperature service and the weight reduction in aviation engineering applications, the dissimilar joining of Ti₃Al-based alloy to Ni-based superalloy (GH536) was conducted using Au-17.5Ni (wt%) brazing filler metal. The microstructure and chemical composition at the interfaces were investigated by scanning electron microscope, X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscope. The diffusion behaviors of elements were analyzed as well. The results indicated that the Ti₃Al/GH536 joint microstructure was characterized by multiple layer structures. Element Ni from Au-Ni filler metal reacted with Ti₃Al base metal, leading to the formation of AlNi₂Ti and NiTi compounds. Element Ni from Ti₃Al base metal reacted with Ni and thus Ni₃Nb phase was detected in the joint central area. Due to the dissolution of Ni-based superalloy, (Ni,Au) solid solution ((Ni,Au)ss) and Ni-rich phase were visible adjacent to the superalloy side. The average tensile strength of all the joints brazed at 1253 K for 5–20 min was above 356 MPa at room-temperature. In particular, the joints brazed at 1253 K/15 min presented the maximum tensile strength of 434 MPa at room-temperature, and the strength of 314 MPa was maintained at 923 K. AlNi₂Ti compound resulted in the highest hardness area and the fracture of the samples subjected to the tensile test mainly occurred in this zone.     

Effect of partial mechanical alloying on the self-propagating high-temperature synthesis of Ni3Si

Self-propagating high-temperature synthesis (SHS) is a new method for economical processing of intermetallic compounds and ceramic materials, as well as composites based on them. On the other hand, mechanical alloying is an effective method for producing highly metastable and, therefore, reactive metal powders. In this paper an overview of partial mechanical alloying is given. The effect of partial mechanical alloying on the self-propagating high-temperature synthesis of Ni₃Si-compounds is studied. The influence of alloying time on powder characteristics, e.g. particle size distribution, is given. The effect of alloying time on the properties of Ni–Si composite powders and on the characteristics of the SHS process, e.g. propagation rate, is reported. Ni₃Si was chosen as the object for this study because of its corrosion and high-temperature oxidation resistance. Like other L1₂-type compounds, the strength of Ni₃Si shows an anomalous behaviour as a function of temperature, therefore, it has potential for high-temperature applications.     

Mechanical properties of the Ni3(Si,Ti) alloys doped with carbon and beryllium

The Ni₃(Si, Ti) alloys doped with small amounts of carbon and beryllium were tensile tested in two environments, vacuum and air, over a wide range of test temperatures. The yield stresses of the carbon-doped alloys were almost identical to the undoped alloys while those of the beryllium-doped alloys were slightly higher than the undoped Ni₃(Si, Ti) alloys. The doping with carbon enhanced the elongation and ultimate tensile strength (UTS) whereas doping with beryllium reduced the elongation over the entire temperature range tested. The fracture patterns were primarily associated with the ductility behaviour. As the elongation (or UTS) increased, the fracture pattern changed from the intergranular to the transgranular fracture patterns. No environmental embrittlement of the ductility of the carbon-doped alloys was found at ambient temperatures but it was evident at elevated temperatures. Ductilities were reduced at high temperatures when the carbon-doped alloys were tensile tested in air. At high temperatures the environmental embrittlement observed is suggested to be due to the penetration of (free) oxygen into the grain boundaries causing the ductility loss in the carbondoped alloys.     

Interfacial reactions between SnAg1.0Ti and Ni metallization

The effect of Ti on the solid state reactions between Sn and Ni has been investigated in this work. Based on the experimental results the following statements can be made: Firstly, the presence of Ti does not have measurable effects on the thickness evolution of Ni₃Sn₄ during solid state annealing. Secondly, the results from long term heat treatments show that there is no marked solubility of Ti to Ni₃Sn₄. Rather Ti reacts with Sn to form large Ti₂Sn₃ platelets inside the solder matrix. The Sn-rich part of the Ni–Sn–Ti phase diagram was assessed in order to rationalize the experimental results. By utilizing this information, the absence of any marked effects of Ti on the growth of Ni–Sn intermetallic compounds (IMC) was analysed. As there is no solubility of Ti to SnAg solder or to Ni–Sn IMC’s, Ti cannot change activities of components in the solder nor influence the stability of the IMC layers. Hence, these results throw significant doubts over the concept of trying to influence the Ni–Sn IMC layer thickness or quality by Ti alloying.     

The effect of titanium addition on the microstructure,mechanical and tribological properties of Ni3Si alloys prepared by powder metallurgy method

Ni₃Si alloy with different content of titanium was fabricated by powder metallurgy method. The microstructures, hardness and tribological properties of the alloys were investigation. The results showed that pure Ni₃Si alloy was composed of β₁‐Ni₃Si phase and γ‐Ni₃₁Si₁₂ phase, and Ni₃Ti phase formed with titanium addition. The hardness of the alloy decreased with the increasing titanium content. The friction coefficient of pure Ni₃Si alloy increased with the increasing load, while the friction coefficient of the alloy with titanium addition decreased. The wear rates of the alloys were all increased with increasing load, and the alloy with 5 % titanium addition had the best wear resistance properties. The wear mechanisms of the alloys were abrasive wear at low load, and the wear mechanisms changed to oxidative wear at high load.