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Monday, June 23, 2008 - 2:30 PM

Advanced Characterization of Superalloys to Evaluate Tertiary Gamma Prime

J. Tiley, Air Force Research Laboratory, Wright-Patterson, AFB, OH

Research involved determining the chemical composition gradients and the microstructure features for a commercial nickel superalloy.  Samples were subjected to multiple heat treatments and aging conditions and then characterized using a multitude of advanced techniques.  The chemical compositions were determined using local electrode atom probe tomography (LEAP) with support from bulk chemistry values measured using a Cameca SX100 microprobe.  The gradients were determined by sampling perpendicular to the precipitate surfaces within each of the samples with average values obtained using the same volume of material within the precipitate and matrix.  The microstructure features were determined using energy filtered transmission electron microscopy with an FEI Tecnai 200Kv TEM.  The data was used to determine the size distributions and the aspect ratios of the tertiary and secondary gamma prime as functions of the aging times and cooling rates.  Results are provided and discussed.

Summary: Chemical composition gradients and microstructure features of tertiary gamma prime were evaluated for a commercial nickel superalloy to develop models for optimizing heat treatments and creep mechanisms. Advanced charaterization techniques included energy filtered transmission electron microscopy and local eclectrode atom probe tomography.