Microstructure Evolution of a Platinum-Modified Nickel-Aluminide Coating During Thermal and Thermo-mechanical Fatigue

The microstructure evolution of a platinum-modified nickel-aluminide coating on single-crystal nickel-based superalloy was investigated for various thermal cycling and thermo-mechanical fatigue (TMF) conditions in air for a long-term exposure. An increase in roughness and in β→γ′ transformation rate depends similarly on maximum temperature, holding time at maximum temperature and applied stress. Moreover, the evolution of the interdiffusion zone (IDZ) is analyzed by making the distinction between two layers, according to the major phases observed within these layers, namely β-(Ni,Pt)Al and γ′-Ni₃Al. This distinction highlighted that the respective thickness evolution of these two layers are sensitive to each parameter of TMF tests with similar increase in evolution rate when increasing time, temperature, as well as applied stress. The distinctive features of phase transformation are finally discussed together with localization of phase transformation and measured evolution of phase transformation within the external coating and β- and γ′-IDZ layer thicknesses under thermal and thermo-mechanical fatigue. This analysis leads to a conclusion that grain boundaries within the external coating as well as interfaces, between thermally grown oxide, external coating, and IDZ, respectively, play a major role in diffusion, phase transformation, and microstructure evolution of typical platinum-modified nickel-aluminide coating.