Many of the iron- and nickel-base superalloys exhibit brittle properties on heat treatment, welding, or other fabrication processes at temperatures of about 2000°F or higher. Studies have been carried out by means of electron microscopy, electron diffraction, and X-ray diffraction and fluorescence analysis of the precipitation in the metal and in an isolated form.

Results of the electron microscope study of the surface of the metal show a grain boundary constituent to be present which increases in amount as the temperature is increased. Studies on the isolated residue of such samples show a very thin “featherlike” film to be located at the grain boundaries and enclosing the grains. Electron diffraction, X-ray diffraction, and X-ray fluorescence analysis studies of the thin films indicate that they are a TiC phase with very little alloying elements in solution.

At temperatures above 2000°F the thin film becomes quite thick and tends to force the grains apart. It is believed that this form of the TiC phase promotes the severe embrittling nature of these alloys at high temperatures. Suitable heat treatment at lower temperatures causes the TiC film to agglomerate and the grain boundaries become “tight,” and a more ductile condition results.