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The cyclic oxidation behavior of fourth-generation nickel-based single crystal superalloys with 2–4 wt% Mo content were studied at 900 ℃ and 1100 ℃. At 900 ℃, with the increase of Mo content, the oxide layer accumulates more growth stress, resulting in the interface between the outer oxide layer and the inner oxide layer more prone to crack initiation. At 1100 ℃, the oxidation layer accumulates more growth stress and thermal stress, so the oxidation layer occurs large scale spalling, which is more severe in 4Mo alloy. The results show that the increase of Mo content of alloy promotes the oxidation of containing W-Re alloy, which promotes the volatilization of oxides and the spalling of oxide, decreases the protection of oxide layer, and deteriorates the oxidation resistance of the alloy. • The increase of Mo content of alloy promotes the oxidation of containing W-Re alloy. • With the increase of Mo content, the volatilization of oxides and the spalling of oxide of alloy was promoted. • Mo has more severe harm to the oxidation resistance of the alloy at higher temperature. • The alloy with 2 wt% Mo addition has the highest oxidation resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the blade material of engine, nickel-base single crystal superalloy has been subjected to complex service environment such as high temperature and alternating load for a long time. In this work, the mechanism of fatigue microcrack initiation and propagation in a nickel-based single crystal at 950 °C and 1050 °C was studied by using the in-situ scanning electron microscope high temperature fatigue test system. At 950 °C, the alloy deformation was controlled by slip and the crack shear γ/γ' phase cracking, showing Stage I mode. At 1050 °C, the alloy crack tearing occurred at the γ phase parallel to the loading direction and γ/γ' interface perpendicular to the loading direction and presents a Stage II mode perpendicular to the loading axis, then changes into Stage I in the accelerating stage. The deformation mechanism of fatigue cracking at two temperatures was compared. Besides, the influence of the microstructure defects on the fatigue crack behavior was discussed. The results show that the propagation of the microcrack below 100 μm shows evident fluctuations, which is closely related to the microstructure and the development stage of the fatigue crack. • The fatigue crack behavior of a nickel-base single crystal superalloy was investigated by in-situ SEM at 950 °C and 1050 °C. • The microscopic deformation mechanism of fatigue cracking at 950 °C and 1050 °C was revealed. • The effect of microstructure defects on the initiation and propagation behavior of fatigue cracks was discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To determine the influence of Re and Ru on the phase morphologies and microstructure in Ni-based superalloys, a series of model alloys derived from the 4th generation TMS-138 superalloy have been investigated with systemically changing Re and Ru additions. All alloys are subjected to solid solution and aging treatments to achieve the typical γ/γ′ two phases microstructure. Phase transition temperatures are measured by using differential scanning calorimetry. The Re is found to increase the γ′-solvus temperature with a slope of roughly 5.4 ℃ per wt% Re in Ru-free alloys and 2.3 ℃ per wt% Re in 2Ru alloys, while the Ru exhibits much weaker effect. Microstructure and composition of the two phases are examined to understand the Re and Ru effects on γ′ size, shape, volume fraction, the elemental partition behavior, and the γ/γ′ lattice misfit. The results show that the addition of Re affects size and shape of γ′ precipitates, and also reduces γ/γ′ lattice misfit significantly. Meanwhile, Re increases partition coefficients of Cr and Ru. In comparison, the addition of Ru seems to have little effect on morphology of γ′ precipitates and the γ/γ′ lattice misfit, but Ru appears to alter partitioning behaviors of other elements. Because Re and Ru are two key elements for high generation Ni-based single crystal (SX) superalloys, this work might provide guidelines for designing next generation of SX superalloys. [Display omitted] • Re effectively increases the γ′ solvus temperature of superalloys, while Ru has slight effect on the γ′ solvus temperature. • Re addition decreases the size of γ′ phase and γ/γ′ lattice misfit, facilitating cubic precipitation of γ′ phase. • Ru addition only has little effect on the γ′ morphology and γ/γ′ lattice misfit of superalloys. • Partitioning behaviors of other alloying elements depend on the Re and Ru additions, especially Ru. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Co alleviates large-scale heterogeneity of multiple microstructures of the alloys. • Co significantly reduces the partitioning coefficient of γ forming elements, which alleviates small-scale heterogeneity. • Co additions suppress TCP precipitation and increase microstructure stability. The effects of Co on multi-scale elemental distributions were studied in an advanced Ru-containing Ni-based single crystal superalloys. Two types scales of microstructural heterogeneities, the large-scale dendritic segregations and small-scale elemental partitions between γ/γ' phase were compared in as-cast, heat-treated and thermal-exposed alloys. The elemental homogeneities on both large and small scale were shown to be enhanced with Co additions, giving rise to the restricted precipitation of TCP phase. It is thus expected the potential role of Co to replace part of Ru in advanced superalloys. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract This study investigated a novel hypothesis on the influences of residual or pre-dislocation structures on creep life of Ni-based single crystal superalloys. Different types of anisotropic dislocation structures were created by pre-straining the samples at a relatively low temperature under different constant bias load conditions. After such pre-straining treatment, the samples were subjected to creep testing at higher temperatures under uniaxial tension. It was found that the pre-straining treatment was effective in creating different anisotropic dislocation structures without affecting the γ′ phase cuboid morphology and that the samples containing different anisotropic dislocation structures have all significantly reduced creep lives. The difference in the anisotropy of the dislocation structures has little influence on the reduction of the creep life or the rafting morphology of the γ′ phase cuboids. By using a Re-free alloy, the influence of the TCP phase precipitation on creep life is also clarified. These observations suggest that interruption to high temperature straining is the main contributor to the reduced creep lives. This finding raises a serious concern on the validity, or reliability, of creep life assessment based on continuous laboratory creep tests for real life applications, where the services are almost always interrupted into intermittent sessions. Graphical abstract Unlabelled Image Highlights • Different anisotropic dislocation network structures were created by pre-straining at an elevated temperature. • The pre-existing anisotropic dislocation structures have no influence on the rafting behavior of the γ′ phase cuboids. • The pre-existing dislocations promote the formation of TCP phases during creep testing. • All pre-strained samples showed significantly reduced creep life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]