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Characterization of Gamma Prime (γ′) Precipitates in a Polycrystalline Nickel-Base Superalloy Using Small-Angle Neutron Scattering

  • Symposium: Diffraction Studies of Advanced Materials
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Abstract

Small angle neutron scattering (SANS) has been used to evaluate the temporal evolution of the secondary and tertiary γ′ precipitates in the nickel-base superalloy, RR1000, in situ during an aging heat treatment at 1033 K (760 °C) following a supersolvus heat treatment and oil quench. The bimodal distribution of secondary and tertiary γ′ was analyzed using a specially developed polydispersive model capable of evaluating the scattering curves to obtain precipitate size distributions (PSDs) and volume fractions as a function of time. The model was designed to be suitable for high volume fractions of γ′ and takes into account the scattering interaction between precipitates. The results show an increase in the volume fraction and the mean particle size of both the secondary γ′ and tertiary γ′ during aging. The initial and final precipitate distributions have been characterized using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and show satisfactory correlation with the SANS data across the scattering vector range.

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Acknowledgments

The author acknowledges and thanks the EPSRC and Rolls-Royce plc. for their financial support in the completion of this work. Permission has been given to publish this article from Rolls-Royce plc. and the University of Cambridge. We extend our thanks to ISIS, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, for their help during and after the experiment.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Rolls-Royce UTC, Department of Materials Science & Metallurgy, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 3QZ, United Kingdom

    D. M. Collins (Doctoral Student) & H. J. Stone (Assistant Director of Research)

  2. ISIS Facility, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Didcot, Oxon, OX11 0QX, United Kingdom

    R. K. Heenan (SANS Instrument Scientist)

Authors
  1. D. M. Collins
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  2. R. K. Heenan
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  3. H. J. Stone
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Correspondence to D. M. Collins.

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Manuscript submitted March 1, 2010.

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Collins, D.M., Heenan, R.K. & Stone, H.J. Characterization of Gamma Prime (γ′) Precipitates in a Polycrystalline Nickel-Base Superalloy Using Small-Angle Neutron Scattering. Metall Mater Trans A 42, 49–59 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11661-010-0466-1

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