Research Progress on the Formation and Control of Cracks in Wrought Nickel-Based Superalloys

doi:10.20057/j.1003-8620.2024-00089

Abstract

Abstract: With the continuous improvement of material requirements for high-performance aviation engines， the degree of alloying and the mass fraction of the γ' phase in new nickel-based superalloys for high-temperature applications continue to increase. This leads to progressively more challenging melting processes for these alloys. High-alloyed wrought nickel-based deformation superalloys are generally produced through a triple combination process of Vacuum Induction Melting （VIM） + Protective Atmosphere Electro-Slag Remelting （PESR） + Vacuum Arc Remelting （VAR）. Due to the influence of alloying degree， alloys are prone to solute segregation and elemental partitioning between liquid and solid phases during the melting process， making electrodes and ingots susceptible to cracking under the combined effects of thermal stress and phase transformation stress. This not only causes arc fluctuations during the subsequent remelting process but also adversely affects the quality of the ingots. Electrode crack formation is a complex metallurgical defect that occurs in the solidification process of superalloys and has been a common technical challenge that has long plagued the expansion of ingot sizes for high-alloy， difficult-to-deform superalloys in China. Therefore， this paper reviews the recent research progress of the author’s team and research groups at home and abroad in the crack formation mechanism， influencing factors of crack and crack control of wrought nickel-based superalloys， and looks forward to the future development direction of wrought superalloy precipitation strengthened nickel-based superalloys.

Key words: Triple Melting, Highly alloyed, Wrought Superalloy, Formation Mechanism of Crack, Crack Control

摘要： 随着高性能航空发动机对材料要求的不断提高，新型镍基变形高温合金的合金化程度和γ'相质量分数也在不断增加。这就导致了合金的熔炼难度逐渐提高。高合金化的新型镍基变形高温合金一般通过真空感应熔炼（VIM）+保护气氛电渣重熔（PESR）+真空电弧重熔（VAR）三联工艺来生产。受合金化程度的影响，合金在熔炼过程中易产生液固相间的溶质分凝和元素偏析，电极和铸锭在热应力与相变应力的综合作用下极易发生开裂，造成后续重熔过程电弧波动，从而对铸锭质量造成不利影响。电极裂纹问题是高温合金凝固过程中产生的一种复杂冶金缺陷，也是长期困扰我国高合金化难变形高温合金锭型扩大的共性技术难题。基于此，综述了近年来作者团队和国内外研究组在变形镍基高温合金熔炼过程中裂纹的形成机制、裂纹的影响因素及裂纹控制方面的研究进展，并对沉淀强化型镍基变形高温合金的未来发展方向进行了展望。

关键词: 三联熔炼, 高合金化, 高温合金, 裂纹形成机制, 裂纹控制

CLC Number:

Yang　Shufeng, Jia　Lei, Yan　Yucan, Wang　Tiantian, Zhao　Peng, Yang Shulei. Research Progress on the Formation and Control of Cracks in Wrought Nickel-Based Superalloys[J]. Special Steel, 2024, 45(4): 13-25.

杨树峰, 贾雷, 鄢宇灿, 王田田, 赵朋, 杨曙磊. 镍基变形高温合金裂纹形成及控制研究进展[J]. 特殊钢, 2024, 45(4): 13-25.

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