Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-xbtfd Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-17T21:16:06.674Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Radiation-Induced Phase Instabilities and Their Effects on Hardening and Solute Segregation in Precipitation-Strengthened Alloy 718

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 March 2011

Larry E. Thomas
Affiliation:
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory Richland, WA 99352
Bulent Hakan Sencer
Affiliation:
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory Richland, WA 99352
Stephen M. Bruemmer
Affiliation:
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory Richland, WA 99352
Get access

Abstract

A classic example of radiation-induced phase instability and degraded mechanical properties occurs in γ′-γ″-strengthened alloy 718. During irradiation with neutrons or protons at ∼ 30 to 288°C, the Ni 3Nb γ″ particles disappear after low doses. The γ′ (present only in the matrix) also disappears after <0.6 dpa at 30 to 55°C, but at 288°C it persists to higher doses and eventually reprecipitates as new γ′ with changed composition. Hardness of the alloy is unaffected by disappearance of the γ″, but decreases appreciably at 288°C as the original γ′ particles dissolve. Fine-probe compositional measurements in a TEM showed that the softening coincides with solute redistribution and reprecipitation rather than with the phase disappearance. Compositional changes at grain boundaries included leveling of the thermally segregated Mo as well as strong Ni enrichment and loss of Nb after high doses. The complex phase stability and solute redistribution behavior reflects mainly ballistic mixing at 30-70°C irradiation temperatures and the influence of significant thermal diffusivities at the higher temperatures.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2001

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

REFERENCES

1. Thomas, L. E., Stability of γ″ and γ′ in Inconel 706 during neutron irradiation, Phase Stability During Irradiation, Holland, J. R., ed. Spitznagel, J. A. and Potter, D. I., (AIME, 1981) 232.Google Scholar
2. Thomas, L. E. and Bruemmer, S. M., Proc. Eighth Int. Symp. on Environmental Degradation of Materials in Nuclear Power Systems, (ANS, 1997) 772779.Google Scholar
3. Sencer, B. H., Bond, G. M., Garner, F. A., Hamilton, M. L., Oliver, B. M., Thomas, L. E., Maloy, S. A., Sommer, W. F., James, M. R., Ferguson, P. D., J. Nucl. Mater., 283–287, 324, 2000.Google Scholar
4. Carsughi, F., Derz, H., Pott, G., Sommer, W. and Ullmaier, H., J. Nucl. Mater. 264, 78, 1999.Google Scholar
5. Hamilton, M.L, Garner, F.A., Toloczko, M.B., Maloy, S.A., Sommer, W.F., James, M.R., Ferguson, P.D., Louthan, M.R Jr., J. Nucl. Mater. 283–287, 418, 2000.Google Scholar