Microstructural design of Ni-base alloys for high-temperature applications: impact of heat treatment on microstructure and mechanical properties after selective laser melting

Optimising the microstructure and mechanical performance of Ni-base alloys is vital to achieve higher efficiencies in many high-temperature applications. With the recent emergence of the additive manufacturing technologies, new possibilities with respect to freedom of design and microstructure manipulation are opened up. This study aims at adjusting a microstructure suited for high-temperature applications by employing high-power selective laser melting. The parts are subjected to diverse post-process heat treatments to examine if the desired microstructural features can be preserved and proper precipitations can be formed. Results obtained by electron backscatter diffraction show a high resistance against recrystallization in the temperature range contemplated. Still, process-induced formation of undesired brittle Laves phase particles was observed via transmission electron microscopy and backscattered electron imaging. Mechanical tests in the form of hardness measurements, tensile tests, and high-temperature compression creep tests proved a high dependency of the performance on the post-processing treatment conducted. Hardness, yield strength and elongation at failure at room temperature are adequate in comparison with conventionally processed materials. High-temperature compression creep tests emphasised the importance of solution annealing to enable for proper precipitation of strengthening phases during subsequent ageing.