Improvement in creep life of a nickel-based single-crystal superalloy via composition homogeneity on the multiscales by magnetic-field-assisted directional solidification

The improvement of the creep properties of single-crystal superalloys is always strongly motivated by the vast growing demand from the aviation, aerospace, and gas engine. In this study, a static magnetic-field-assisted solidification process significantly improves the creep life of single-crystal superalloys. The mechanism originates from an increase in the composition homogeneity on the multiscales, which further decreases the lattice misfit of γ/γ′ phases and affects the phase precipitation. The phase-precipitation change is reflected as the decrease in the γ′ size and the contents of carbides and γ/γ′ eutectic, which can be further verified by the variation of the cracks number and raft thickness near the fracture surface. The variation of element partition decreases the dislocation quantity within the γ/γ′ phases of the samples during the crept deformation. Though the magnetic field in the study destroys the single-crystal integrity, it does not offset the benefits from the compositional homogeneity. The proposed means shows a great potential application in industry owing to its easy implement. The uncovered mechanism provides a guideline for controlling microstructures and mechanical properties of alloys with multiple components and multiple phases using a magnetic field.