Creep and Fracture Mechanisms in an Oxide-Dispersion Strengthened Ni3Al-Based Alloy Between 649°C and 982°C

An oxide-dispersion strengthened (ODS) Ni3Al-based alloy has been fabricated and creep tested. Previously reported data for minimum creep rate as a function of stress indicated that two creep mechanisms operate at intermediate temperatures of 732 and 816°C [1]. This paper reports the results of recent interrupted creep tests and fractographic studies which serve to identify the two creep mechanisms. Creep at low stresses or low creep-rates occurs by constrained growth of cavities on transverse grain boundaries. In this low stress region an apparent stress exponent of 5.1 is observed. Creep at high stresses or high creep-rates results from the bulk deformation of grains by power law creep with a much smaller contribution due to grain boundary cavitation. The stress exponents of 13 and 22 observed in this high stress region are typical of ODS alloys. In both regions fracture is observed to be mixed mode with a large transgranular component due to the high grain aspect ratio developed in this material. Limited data at 982°C indicate the occurrence of only one mechanism which can be described by a stress exponent of 9.1. It was not possible, based on fractographic studies, to associate the creep mechanism at 982°C with either of those observed at the intermediate temperatures. No fractographic studies were performed at 649°C due to lack of valid specimens; however, the stress exponent of 13.5 observed at 649°C suggests that creep occurs by deformation of the grains.