Effect of Holding Time on Microstructure and Properties of Transient Liquid-Phase-Bonded Joints of a Single Crystal Alloy

Experimental investigations have been done to verify the effects of hold time during transient liquid-phase bonding on joint microstructure and mechanical properties of a nickel-based single crystal superalloy. The superalloy was bonded at 1473-1513 K for 0.25-12 h in vacuum environment. A set of parameters, 1513 K for 10 h, was determined as the optimum bonding condition. SEM results revealed that the joint without the completion of isothermal solidification is comprised of four different distinct regions, namely, rapid solidification zone (RSZ), isothermal solidification zone (ISZ), diffusion zone, and base metal. EBSD data indicated that the ISZ across the centerline of the bond has an undifferentiated crystallographic orientation being the same as the base metal. At increasing hold times at 1513 K, RSZ and also borides would disappear and result in an improvement of mechanical properties. Mechanical property tests at elevated temperatures have been done to determine the joints’ quality. High-temperature creep rupture strength (for 100 h at 1373 K) and tensile strength (at 1273 K) of the joints could both attain 90% of those of the base metal.