Evaluation of high- temperature behavior of CMSX4 + yttrium single- crystal nickel- base superalloy

CMSX4 + Y, a highly strengthened rhenium-containing second-generation single-crystal nickel-base su-peralloy, has been studied by creep, low-cycle, and thermomechanical fatigue in the temperature range 500 to 1100 °C. The alloy exhibits good high-temperature mechanical properties that are superior or com-parable to other single-crystal superalloys. Thermomechanical fatigue resistance is equivalent to low-cy-cle fatigue and is cycle-shape dependent. High-temperature mechanical properties have been studied using life prediction relationships that are frequently used for creep and low-cycle fatigue data evalu-ation. Examination of fracture surfaces revealed that fracture induced by creep damage is internal and starts from pore-initiated cracks; however, fatigue damage starts on the external surface and propagates inward in stage II mode.