Superdislocation accumulation-induced intergranular FCC phase transition in an L12-strengthened Ni3Al-based alloy

doi:10.1016/j.jmst.2025.11.014

Abstract

Abstract: Localized nano-scale phase transitions at line or planar faults inside the L1₂-γ′ phase have a substantial influence on the creep behaviors of superalloys. In this study, we observe a similar, yet micron-scale, FCC-γ phase transition phenomenon at the grain boundaries (GBs) of a Ni₃Al-based alloy under intermediate temperature creep conditions. Both micro-/sub-structure observations and calculations reveal that the accumulation of superdislocations with Fe, Cr-rich disordered clusters provides necessary composition, structure, and energy conditions for the nucleation and growth of these intergranular γ phases. This γ transition consumes massive superdislocations, absorbing a quantity of defect energies, increasing the energy barrier for creep cavity nucleation, and providing extra γ/γ′ interfaces, thus significantly reducing the GB cracking tendency. The unveiled mechanisms could inspire the compositional design and GB engineering of similar alloys with intergranular superlattice structures.

Key words: Superalloy, Grain boundary, Phase transition, Creep, Antiphase boundary

Minghao Hu, Chong Li, Shengyu Zhou, Qing Wang, Qianying Guo, Huijun Li, Xingchuan Xia, Yongchang Liu. Superdislocation accumulation-induced intergranular FCC phase transition in an L1₂-strengthened Ni₃Al-based alloy[J]. J. Mater. Sci. Technol., 2026, 264: 253-264.

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Superdislocation accumulation-induced intergranular FCC phase transition in an L1₂-strengthened Ni₃Al-based alloy

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