Modeling solid solution strengthening in nickel alloys

The yield stress of multicomponent nickel solid solution alloys has not been modeled in the past with respect to the effects of composition and temperature. There have been investigations of the effect on the yield stress of solutes in binary systems at a fixed temperature, but the effects on the yield stress of multiple solute elements and temperature changes have not been investigated. In this article, two different forms of the trough model are considered for nickel-base alloys to determine the most applicable model for solid solution strengthening in the system. The yield stresses of three binary nickel-chromium and three ternary nickel alloys were determined at a range of temperatures. The yield stress of the alloys was then modeled using the Feltham equation. The constants determined in fitting the Feltham equation to the experimental data were then applied to other experimental solid solution alloys and also to published information on commercial solid solution nickel alloys. It was found that the yield stress of the nickel solid solution alloys could be modeled successfully using the Feltham equation.