Influence of composition on precipitation behavior and stress rupture properties in INCONEL[RTM] 740 series superalloys

Abstract

Increasing demands for energy efficiency and reduction in CO2 emissions have led to the development of advanced ultra-supercritical (AUSC) boilers. These boilers operate at temperatures of 760 °C and pressures of 35 MPa, providing efficiencies close to 50 pct. However, austenitic stainless steels typically used in boiler applications do not have sufficient creep or oxidation resistance. For this reason, nickel (Ni)-based superalloys, such as IN740, have been identified as potential materials for AUSC boiler tube components. However, IN740 is susceptible to heat-affected-zone liquation cracking in the base metal of heavy section weldments. To improve weldability, IN740H was developed. However, IN740H has lower stress rupture ductility compared to IN740. For this reason, two IN740H modifications have been produced by lowering carbon content and increasing boron content. In this study, IN740, IN740H, and the two modified IN740H alloys (modified 1 and 2) were produced with equiaxed grain sizes of 90 [mu]m (alloys IN740, IN740H, and IN740H modified 1 alloys) and 112 [mu]m (IN740H modified 2 alloy). An aging study was performed at 800 °C on all alloys for 1, 3, 10, and 30 hours to assess precipitation behavior. Stress rupture tests were performed at 760 °C with the goal of attaining stress levels that would yield rupture at 1000 hours. The percent reduction in area was measured after failure as a measure of creep ductility. Light optical, scanning electron, and transmission electron microscopy were used in conjunction with X-ray diffraction to examine precipitation behavior of annealed, aged, and stress rupture tested samples. The amount and type of precipitation that occurred during aging prior to stress rupture testing or in-situ during stress rupture testing influenced damage development, stress rupture life, and ductility. In terms of stress rupture life, IN740H modified 2 performed the best followed by IN740H modified 1 and IN740, which performed similarly, and IN740H. In terms of stress rupture ductility, IN740H modified 1 performed the best, followed by IN740H modified 2, IN740, and IN740H. G-phase, [Eta], M23C6, and MX precipitated in IN740 during stress rupture testing. IN740H and the two modified alloys displayed M23C6 precipitates that were often in lamellar form and blocky MX precipitates. However, IN740H displayed more extensive formation of lamellar precipitates along grain boundaries after both aging and during stress rupture testing, which negatively influenced stress rupture life and ductility. Grain size was also shown to influence stress rupture life and ductility; a larger grain size increased stress rupture life, but decreased ductility as shown by the IN740H modified 1 and 2 alloy results. Transmission electron microscopy analysis was performed to assess the lamellar precipitation in IN740H. These precipitates were identified to be Cr-rich M23C6 that form by discontinuous cellular precipitation (DCP). The M23C6 precipitates were found to adopt different {111} habit planes based on the conditions of DCP boundary migration. Discontinuous precipitation of lamellar M23C6 is harmful to stress rupture life and ductility.