High temperature low cycle fatigue behavior of Ni-base superalloy M963

The cyclic stress-strain response and the low cycle fatigue life behavior of solution treated Ni-base superalloy M963 were studied. Fully reversed strain-controlled tests were performed at temperature range from 700 to 950 °C in air at a constant total strain rate. The dislocation characteristics and failed surface observation were evaluated through scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy, respectively. The alloy exhibited the cyclic hardening, softening, or stable cyclic stress response, which was dependent on the temperature and total strain range. The fracture surface observation revealed that fatigue crack initiation was transgranular and closely related to the total strain range; however, fatigue crack propagation exhibited a strong dependence on testing temperature. The dramatic reduction in fatigue life and intergranular cracking observed at 900 and 950 °C were attributed to oxidation.