Recrystallization mapping of Ni-base alloys

Abstract: Superalloys such as alloy 718 and 925 possesses superior properties at elevated temperatures and corrosive environments. They are commonly found in application such as oil and gas extraction, turbine engines and in the chemistry industry. These alloys were developed during the 1950s but the demand of tubes and pipes of these alloys has rapidly increased. Sandvik has recently started produce these products and faces new challenges within the production.There are several studies within the area of superalloys but the hot working behavior and flow softening mechanism are not fully understood.The goal with this master thesis is to analyze two different steel grades, alloy 718 and 925 and correlate different process parameters that will influence the recrystallization initiation and nucleation.Two ingots manufactured through electric arc furnace, argon oxygen decarburization and refined by vacuum arc remelting were analyzed followed by a homogenization heat treatment. Samples were extracted from three positions, bottom, center, top and from half the radius in the ingot. The chemical composition was analyzed and the mechanical properties was tested trough hot compression testing (Gleeble). From Gleeble testing, the true strain, stress curves were analyzed in order to determine flow softening effects. The microstructure were studied trough light optical microscopy and electron backscatter diffraction.The results reveal that discontinuous dynamic recystallization is the dominant flow softening mechanism. There was no significant difference between the three positioning within the ingot.To maximize the recrystallized area fraction higher strain and temperatures must be provided or lower strain rates.