Phase Evolution and Thermal Expansion Behavior of a γ′ Precipitated Ni-Based Superalloy by Synchrotron X-Ray Diffraction

The phase evolution and thermal expansion behavior in superalloy during heating play an essential role in controlling the size and distribution of precipitates, as well as optimizing thermomechanical properties. Synchrotron X-ray diffraction is able to go through the interior of sample and can be carried out with in situ environment, and thus, it can obtain more statistics information in real time comparing with traditional methods, such as electron and optical microscopies. In this study, in situ heating synchrotron X-ray diffraction was carried out to study the phase evolution in a typical γ′ phase precipitation strengthened Ni-based superalloy, Waspaloy, from 29 to 1050 °C. The γ′, γ, M₂₃C₆ and MC phases, including their lattice parameters, misfits, dissolution behavior and thermal expansion coefficients, were mainly investigated. The γ′ phase and M₂₃C₆ carbides appeared obvious dissolution during heating and re-precipitated when the temperature dropped to room temperature. Combining with the microscopy results, we can indicate that the dissolution of M₂₃C₆ leads to the growth of grain and γ′ phase cannot be completely dissolved for the short holding time above the solution temperature. Besides, the coefficients of thermal expansions of all the phases are calculated and fitted as polynomials.