Alloy Design and Characterization of γ′ Strengthened Nickel-based Superalloys for Additive Manufacturing

The success of nickel-based superalloy systems attributes to both the well-tailored microstructures with the assistance of carefully doped alloying elements, and the intently developed manufacturing processes. The microstructure of the modern nickel-based superalloys consists of a two-phase configuration: the intermetallic precipitates (Ni,Co)3(Al,Ti,Ta) known as γ′ phase dispersed into the austenite γ matrix, which is firstly introduced in the 1940s.  The recently developed additive manufacturing (AM) techniques, acting as the disruptive manufacturing process, offers a new avenue for producing the nickel-based superalloy components with complicated geometries. However, γ′ strengthened nickel-based superalloys always suffer from the micro-cracking during the AM process, which is barely eliminated by the process optimization.

On this basis, the new compositions of γ′ strengthened nickel-based superalloy adapted to the AM process are of great interest and significance. This study sought to design novel γ′ strengthened nickel-based superalloys readily for AM process with limited cracking susceptibility, based on the understanding of the cracking mechanisms. A two-parameter model is developed to predict the additive manufacturability for any given composition of a nickel-based superalloy. One materials index is derived from the comparison of the deformation-resistant capacity between dendritic and interdendritic regions, while another index is derived from the difference of heat resistant capacity of these two spaces. By plotting the additive manufacturability diagram, the superalloys family can be categorized into the easy-to-weld, fairly-weldable, and non-weldable regime with the good agreement of the existed knowledge. To design a novel superalloy, a Cr-Co-Mo-W-Al-Ti-Ta-Nb-Fe-Ni alloy family is proposed containing 921,600 composition recipes in total. Through the examination of additive manufacturability, undesired phase formation propensity, and the precipitation fraction, one composition of superalloy, MAD542, out of the 921,600 candidates is selected.

Validation of additive manufacturability of MAD542 is carried out by laser powder bed fusion (LPBF). By optimizing the LPBF process parameters, the crack-free MAD542 part is achieved. In addition, the MAD542 superalloy shows great resistance to the post-processing treatment-induced cracking. During the post-processing treatment, extensive annealing twins are promoted to achieve the recrystallization microstructure, ensuring the rapid reduction of stored energy. After ageing treatment, up to 60-65% volume fraction of γ′ precipitates are developed, indicating the huge potential of γ′ formation. Examined by the high-temperature slow strain rate tensile and constant loading creep testing, the MAD542 superalloy shows superior strength than the LPBF processed and hot isostatic pressed plus heat-treated IN738LC superalloy. While the low ductility of MAD542 is existed, which is expected to be improved by modifying the post-processing treatment scenarios and by the adjusting building direction in the following stages of the Ph.D. research.

MAD542 superalloy so far shows both good additive manufacturability and mechanical potentials. Additionally, the results in this study will contribute to a novel paradigm for alloy design and encourage more γ′-strengthened nickel-based superalloys tailored for AM processes in the future.