Abstract: The freckle formation and their phase characterization in freckle areas were investigated by means of microstructure analysis approaches and a thermodynamic equilibrium phase calculation method in a Ni-Cr-Mo-Fe-W alloy. These results show that in freckle areas a large number of M6 C, u and P phases precipitate in grain boundaries even within grain due to the enrichment and segregation of Mo and C during solidification, which results in small grains in freckle areas. Equilibrium phase and liquid segregation calculation can give an reasonable interpretation of the freckle feature for this alloy.

Key words: freckle, Ni-Cr-Mo-Fe-W alloy, thermodynamic calculation