Secondary Recrystallization of Nickel-Base Superalloy CM 247 LC After Processing by Metal Injection Molding

Fabrication of parts by metal injection molding (MIM) results in very fine grain sizes. In the present investigation, heat treatments were employed to gain a larger grain size that is more creep resistant. The alloy under investigation was CM 247 LC. The composition was slightly modified to facilitate grain growth. Secondary recrystallization was observed to occur during post-sintering annealing treatments approximately 50 °C below the sintering temperature. The grain size increased from 25 µm to > 2 mm. The increase of grain size was found to improve creep strength significantly. The samples in the as-sintered condition exhibited a bimodal grain size distribution. The grain size in a thin surface zone after sintering was slightly increased because of a lower C and O content in this zone that promoted normal grain growth. Secondary recrystallization did not occur in the surface zone. This is attributed to a lack of driving force in this area.