Microstructure evolution and stress rupture properties of A286 superalloy in the 600 to 750 °C temperature range

To study the stress rupture properties of the A286 alloy in high temperature service environment, the stress rupture tests of A286 alloy at different temperature ranges and stress levels were carried out. Moreover, the Larson-Miller Parameter (LMP) for predicting the rupture life was established as LMP = (T + 273)(log t _r + C) × 10⁻³, C = 22.3. The fracture morphology and the microstructure evolution of the stress rupture specimens were observed by scanning electron microscopy. The results show that for the stress rupture tests at 700 °C–750 °C/150–400 MPa, the precipitation of the closely arranged cellular η phase and the coarse MC at the grain boundary acted as the crack source. For the stress rupture test at 600 °C–700 °C/400–700 MPa, the coarse MC at the grain boundary led to stress concentration to give rise to crack initiation and propagation during deformation. With decreasing of temperature and increasing of stress, the fracture mode of the A286 alloy changed from the ductile fracture mode of microvoids to the brittle fracture mode of intergranular. The deformation mechanisms of A286 alloy at different temperatures and stress levels also have been systematically analyzed by transmission electron microscopy. The deformation mechanisms of A286 at different temperatures and stress levels were Orowan looping, microtwins and dislocation pairs shearing with Orowan looping and microtwins as the dominant deformation mechanisms. The critical transition radius of γ′ phase during the transition from dislocation shearing mechanism to Orowan looping mechanism was calculated. (paper)