Microstructure evolution and analysis of a single crystal nickel-based superalloy during compressive creep

During compressive creep, the cubical γ′ phase in [0 0 1] orientation single crystal nickel-based superalloy is transformed into the rafted structure along the direction parallel to the applied stress axis. By means of the elastic stress–strain finite element method (FEM), the von Mises stress distributions of the cubical γ′/γ phases are calculated for investigating the influence of the applied stress on the stress distribution and the directional coarsening regularity of γ′ phase. Results show that the stress distribution of the cubical γ/γ′ phases may be changed by the applied compressive stress, and the coarsening orientation of γ′ phase is related to the von Mises stress distribution of the γ matrix channel. Thereinto, under the action of applied compressive stress, the bigger von Mises stress produced on (0 0 1) plane of the cubical γ′ phase is thought to be a main reason of the microstructure evolution. The expression of the driving force for the elements diffusion and the directional growing of γ′ phase during compressive creep are also proposed.

► Studying microstructure evolution of [0 0 1] oriented superalloy during compressive creep.
► Constituting the γ′ phase existence mode in three-dimensional space.
► Analyzing the γ′ phase evolution regularity with the aid of the finite element method.
► Analyzing the driving forces of the γ′ phase directional coarsening.