Creep Behaviour and Microstructural Characterization of VAT 36 and VAT 32 Superalloys

Abstract

Superalloys are used primarily for the aerospace, automotive, and petrochemical industries. These applications require materials with high creep resistance. In this work, evaluation of creep resistance and microstructural characterization were carried out at two new nickel intermediate content alloys for application in aerospace industry and in high performance valves for automotive applications (alloys VAT 32 and VAT 36). The alloys are based on a high nickel chromium austenitic matrix with dispersion of intermetallic L1₂ and phases containing different (Nb,Ti)C carbides. Creep tests were performed at constant load, in the temperature range of 675–750 °C and stress range of 500–600 MPa. Microstructural characterization and failure analysis of fractured surfaces of crept samples were carried out with optical and scanning electron microscopy with EDS. Phases were identified by Rietveld refinement. The results showed that the superalloy VAT 32 has higher creep resistance than the VAT 36. The superior creep resistance of the alloy VAT 32 is related to its higher fraction of carbides (Nb,Ti)C and intermetallic L1₂ provided by the amount of carbon, titanium, and niobium in its chemical composition and subsequent heat treatment. During creep deformation these precipitates produce anchoring effect of grain boundaries, hindering relative slide between grains and therefore inhibiting crack formation. These volume defects act also as obstacles to dislocation slip and climb, decreasing the creep rate. Failure analysis of surface fractures of crept samples showed intergranular failure mechanism at crack origin for both alloys VAT 36 and VAT 32. Intergranular fracture involves nucleation, growth, and subsequent binding of voids. The final fractured portion showed transgranular ductile failure, with dimples of different shapes, generated by the formation and coalescence of microcavities with dissimilar shape and sizes. The occurrence of a given creep mechanism depends on the test conditions. At creep tests of VAT 32 and VAT 36, for lower stresses and higher temperature, possible dislocation climb over carbides and precipitates would prevail. For higher stresses and intermediate temperatures shear mechanisms involving stacking faults presumably occur over a wide range of experimental conditions.