Multi-scale Study of the Formation and Evolution of M6C Carbides in High-Tungsten Superalloys

The formation and evolution of M₆C carbides in high-W superalloy following solution treatment was investigated at different temperatures. Initially, during solid solution treatment, MC and M₆C carbides was precipitated in the alloy. As the temperature increased, the morphology of M₆C carbides transitioned from granular to needle-like. During the solution treatment at 1255 °C, the MC carbides degraded and transformed into M₆C carbides, forming a symbiotic relationship between them. Nonetheless, no clear orientation relationship was observed between the two types of carbides. After further increasing the temperature to 1270 °C, the precipitation of needle-like M₆C carbides in the dendrite arm was confirmed. This was supported by electron probe X-ray micro-analyzer and selected area electron diffraction patterns. Subsequently, a detailed examination of the three-dimensional morphology and orientation relationship of the needle-like phase with the matrix was carried out using focused-ion-beam and transmission electron microscopy techniques. The results indicated that the flat interface of the needle phase exhibited a specific orientation relationship with the matrix. However, in the three-dimensional plane, the interfaces between the needle-like phase and the matrix were not straight. Furthermore, no clear orientation relationship between the non-straight interfaces and the matrix was observed. As the solution temperature increased, the tensile properties at room temperature progressively decreased, while the stress rupture properties peaked at 1260 °C, suggesting that the alloy demonstrated its optimal comprehensive performance at this temperature. A subsequent analysis was conducted on the longitudinal section of the fracture using electron backscattered diffraction. The results showed a noticeable concentration of stress at the interface between MC and M₆C carbides, which ultimately led to crack initiation at this interface. In addition, as the solid solution temperature increased, the quantity of symbiotic phases also increased. This phenomenon led to the initiation of cracks at multiple locations, which then propagated and interconnected. As a consequence, the tensile properties and stress rupture life of the alloy progressively deteriorated.