Mechanisms and modelling of creep in superalloys

The characteristics of creep deformation of nickel-base superalloys are reviewed and the implications for the micromechanisms controlling the behaviour are considered. The development of a model of the creep deformation that is compatible with the physical mechanisms is traced, first in an isotropic form and later incorporating full crystallographic anisotropy. The validity of the model and its ability to be extrapolated to more complex loading conditions are evaluated against a wide range of experimental measurements. Much of the work described in this review has been funded by the Defence Research Agency and creep data and specimens for examination were supplied by Dr M R Winstone of DRA.