Influence of the Starting Microstructure on the Hot Deformation Behavior of a Low Stacking Fault Energy Ni-based Superalloy

The influence of varying fractions of primary gamma prime precipitates on the hot deformation and annealing behavior of an experimental Nickel-based superalloy containing 24 wt pct. Co was investigated. Billets heat treated at 1110 °C or 1135 °C were subjected to hot compression tests at temperatures ranging from 1020 °C to 1060 °C and strain rates ranging from 0.001 to 0.1/s. The microstructures were characterized using electron back scatter diffraction in the as-deformed condition as well as following a super-solvus anneal heat treatment at 1140 °C for 1 hour. This investigation sought to quantify and understand what effect the volume fraction of primary gamma prime precipitates has on the dynamic recrystallization behavior and resulting length fraction ∑3 twin boundaries in the low stacking fault superalloy following annealing. Although deformation at the lower temperatures and higher strain rates led to dynamic recrystallization for both starting microstructures, comparatively lower recrystallized fractions were observed in the 1135 °C billet microstructures deformed at strain rates of 0.1/s and 0.05/s. Subsequent annealing of the 1135 °C billet microstructures led to a higher proportion of annealing twins when compared to the annealed 1110 °C billet microstructures.