Effect of Vanadium Element on Creep Behavior and Microstructure Evolution of a High Strength Ni-Based Wrought Superalloy

doi:10.1007/s40195-025-01920-3

Abstract

Abstract:

The influence of V contents (0.6 wt%, 0.8 wt% and 1.0 wt%) on the microstructure and creep behavior of a Nickel-based superalloy was investigated. The results revealed that the V content exerted a significant impact on the morphology of carbide. Notably, in the alloy containing 0.8 wt% V, coarse blocky M₆C carbides formed adjacent to MC carbides, while in the 1.0 wt% V alloy, fine granular M₆C carbides exhibited a nearly continuous distribution along grain boundaries (GBs). The influence of V content on creep properties exhibited significant variations depending on temperature. At 650 °C/1010 MPa, the 1.0 wt% V alloy, containing a high density of granular M₆C carbides, demonstrated enhanced intergranular bonding strength, which contributed to prolonged creep life. In contrast, at higher temperatures (750 °C/620 MPa and 800 °C/500 MPa), GB mobility was activated, making GB slip the dominant creep mechanism. The near-continuous distribution of M₆C carbides in the 1.0 wt% V alloy restricted GB deformation compatibility, promoting stress localization and an increased density of micropores along GBs. As a result, the 0.8 wt% V alloy, with its discrete M₆C carbide distribution, exhibited superior creep resistance at elevated temperatures.

Key words: Wrought superalloy, V element, Microstructure, Carbides, Creep behavior

Yongchao Gai, Rui Zhang, Fuqiang Wang, Zijian Zhou, Xipeng Tao, Shaomin Lyu, Xingfei Xie, Chuanyong Cui, Jinglong Qu, Tianyu Zhu. Effect of Vanadium Element on Creep Behavior and Microstructure Evolution of a High Strength Ni-Based Wrought Superalloy[J]. Acta Metallurgica Sinica (English Letters), 2025, 38(12): 2102-2114.

Figures/Tables 12

Table 1 Chemical composition of the studied alloys (wt%)

	Co	Cr	Al + Ti + Nb	W + Mo	V	C + B	Zr	Ni
0.6 V alloy	15	11	9.7	7.5	0.6	0.05	0-0.005	Bal.
0.8 V alloy	15	11	9.7	7.5	0.8	0.05	0-0.005	Bal.
1.0 V alloy	15	11	9.7	7.5	1.0	0.05	0-0.005	Bal.

Fig. 1 a-c Grain microstructures and d-i γ′ phase morphologies of the initial microstructures for a, d and g 0.6 V alloy, d, e, h 0.8 V alloy, and c, f and i 1.0 V alloy

Fig. 2 Carbides morphologies of a 0.6 V alloy, b 0.8 V alloy, c 1.0 V alloy

Fig. 3 EDS results of a MC and blocky b M6C carbide in 0.8 V alloy

Fig. 4 a-c Creep strain and d-f creep strain rate vs. time plots of the alloys at a, d 650 °C/1010 MPa, b, e 750 °C/620 MPa, c, f 800 °C/500 Mpa

Fig. 5 Deformation microstructures of 0.6 V alloy after creep at a, b 650 °C/1010 MPa, c, d 800 °C/500 MPa

Fig. 6 OM images of longitudinal section of the a, d 0.6 V, b, e 0.8 V, c, f 1.0 V alloys after creep at a-c 650 °C/1010 MPa and d-f 800 °C/500 Mpa

Fig. 7 Typical fracture morphologies of the a, d 0.6 V, b, e 0.8 V, c, f 1.0 V alloys after creep at a-c 650 °C/1010 MPa and d-f 800 °C/500 MPa

Table 2 Chemical compositions of matrix, MC, and M6C carbides in the three V-containing alloys (wt%)

Alloys	Phases	V	Mo	Nb	Al + Ti	Cr + Co + W	Ni
0.6 V	Matrix	0.79	3.35	3.81	5.81	31.25	54.99
0.6 V	MC	0.42	6.08	64.2	19.57	6.63	3.1
0.8 V	Matrix	1.02	4.2	3.92	5.55	30.96	54.35
	MC	0.35	1.55	63.74	18.75	6.28	9.33
	M₆C	1.87	39.55	12.14	1.98	32.95	11.51
1.0 V	Matrix	1.17	3.96	4.05	5.8	30.64	54.38
	MC	0.77	3.05	70.66	17.09	3.94	4.49
	M₆C	2.7	40.63	10.34	1.93	37.33	7.07

Fig. 8 Transition temperature of MC carbides under equilibrium solidification conditions

Fig. 9 SEM images of the a, d 0.6 V, b, e 0.8 V, and c, f 1.0 V alloys after creep at a-c 650 °C/1010 MPa and d-f 800 °C/500 MPa

Fig. 10 Schematic diagram of deformation microstructures of a 0.6 V, b 0.8 V, and c 1.0 V alloys after creep at 800 °C/500 MPa

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