Synergetic regulation of hierarchical microstructure to improve the 704 ℃ tensile property in laser directed energy deposition IN718Plus superalloy.

IN718Plus superalloy with hierarchical microstructure has been successfully manufactured by laser directed energy deposition (LDED). Along building direction, microstructure varies from composing of epitaxial columnar grains oriented along <001> γ direction to equiaxed grains in flower like configuration. Striped Laves phase and fine γ'/γ'' precipitates form in the columnar grains, and would transform into fine Laves phase particles and nanoscale γ' precipitates at equiaxed layer. To improve the compositional homogeneity and microstructural stability, high temperature solution treatment has been explored on the superalloy. The treatment would not affect the morphology and orientation of columnar grains, but would redissolve Laves phase precipitates. Double aging treatment has also been performed to obtain homogeneous distributed γ' precipitates, and the synergistic regulation of microstructure enhances the mechanical property significantly, as causing the room temperature yield strength and tensile strength increased from 0.88 GPa and 1.14 – 1.04 GPa and 1.28 GPa, respectively. Moreover, the excellent mechanical property would be maintained upon 704 ℃, with yield strength of 0.93 GPa, tensile strength of 1.04 GPa and high elongation of 27.3%. [Display omitted] • IN718Plus superalloy with hierarchical microstructure has been successfully manufactured by LDED. • As-deposited microstructure is composed of columnar to equiaxed grains with hierarchical Laves phase and γ'/γ'' precipitates. • Appropriate heat treatment process has been explored as 1100 ℃/1.5 h + 788 ℃/8 h + 704 ℃/8 h to ameliorate the performance. • Excellent 704 ℃ tensile properties have been obtained with tensile strength of 1.04 GPa and elongation of 27.3%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]