Tensile deformation-induced dislocation configurations at intermediate temperatures in a Ni–Fe-based superalloy for advanced ultra-supercritical coal-fired power plants

A low cost Ni–Fe-based superalloy due to its good mechanical properties and good workability has been evaluated as a promising candidate boiler material for advanced ultra-supercritical coal-fired power plants with temperature up to 700 °C. The major concerns with Ni–Fe-based alloys are the fundamental deformation mechanisms at intermediate temperatures. In this paper, great emphasis is placed on the dislocation configurations induced by tensile deformation in this low cost Ni–Fe-based superalloy. Two typical deformation-induced microstructure features, Orowan looping and precipitates shearing, are present during tensile deformation. Careful identification of dislocation-based deformation mechanisms by transmission electron microscopy was performed in tensile strained specimens at 20 °C, 500 °C, 650 °C, 700 °C and 750 °C in order to correlate the macroscopic behavior with the tension controlling mechanisms. - Highlights: • A high strength, low cost Ni–Fe-based superalloy was developed. • Careful identification of dislocation-based deformation mechanisms was performed. • The transition from Orowan looping to precipitates shearing occurs at around 700 °C.