Comparative study on the high temperature deformation behaviour of an as-cast Ni base superalloy subjected to different cooling rates after homogenization.

Medium alloyed as-cast nickel base superalloy was subjected to two different cooling rates (fast and slow) after homogenization which resulted in mono-modal and bi-modal distribution of gamma prime (γ′) precipitates. Both the materials were subjected to high temperature deformation over a range of temperatures and strain rates. Irrespective of the strain rate used, the material subjected to fast cooling exhibited high compressive yield strength and flow softening characteristics when compared to the slow cooled material in the sub-solvus regime. Detailed microstructural investigation carried out using scanning and transmission electron microscope to ascertain the micro-mechanism revealed varying precipitate – dislocation interaction mechanism in both the materials. Higher flow softening and cracking in the fast cooled material is attributed to glide plane softening due to planar slip and the presence of fine network of carbides along the grain boundaries respectively. In the super-solvus regime, the flow stress of both the materials was comparable and both the materials exhibited discontinuous dynamic recrystallization (DDRX). Further, the slow cooled material exhibited lower critical strain for DDRX initiation and also better recrystallization kinetics irrespective of the processing conditions. Higher recrystallization kinetics in the slow cooled material is attributed to the concurrent particle simulated nucleation (PSN) at the coarse MC type carbide boundaries. • Effect of cooling rate on microstructure evolution and its effect on high temperature deformation behaviour evaluated. • Varying dislocation – precipitate interaction mechanisms captured and reported. • Softening & cracking in the fast cooled material is attributed to planar slip, glide plane softening & grain boundary carbides. • Homogenous deformation in slow cooled material is attributed to wavy slip. • Higher DRX kinetics in slow cooled material is ascribed to concurrent particle stimulated nucleation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]