Effect of carbide precipitation on Coffin–Manson relationship of a polycrystalline nickel‐based superalloy. Issue 3 (20th November 2022) - Rai, R. K.
Abstract: This study explores the dual‐slope Coffin–Manson (C–M) behavior of a polycrystalline nickel‐based superalloy, EA, used in turbine engine applications with an emphasis on discerning the micro‐mechanisms responsible for it. The motivation for distinguishing the micro‐mechanisms responsible for bi‐linear C–M behavior stemmed from the earlier evolved comprehensions that state that the fatigue life estimation based on the extrapolation of any single line gives inaccurate results. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) investigations of fatigue fractured specimens at low strain amplitudes, Δε /2, revealed that dislocations are homogeneously distributed in the γ‐channels and occasionally form networks at γ/γ′ interface. Whereas deformation is heterogeneous at high Δε /2 owing to the complex dislocation reactions. Cr23 C6 carbides are precipitated during the high Δε /2 fatigue tests, which act as obstacles for dislocations. The deformation heterogeneity resulting from the dislocation–γ′ precipitate interactions and the dislocation–M23 C6 carbide interactions accounts for the dual‐slope C–M behavior. Highlights: The EA alloy exhibited dual‐slope C–M behavior. Cr23 C6 carbides are precipitated during high Δε /2 fatigue test. Deformation is mostly homogeneous at low Δε /2. At high Δε /2, dislocation interactions and carbides cause strain localization. Deformation heterogeneity at high Δε /2 is attributed to bilinearity in C–M plot.