Characterization of a nickel-base superalloy through electrical resistivity-microstructure relationships facilitated by small angle scattering

• Main Author: Whelchel, Ricky Lee
• Published: Georgia Institute of Technology 2011
• Subjects: Nondestructive testing; Superalloys; Small angle scattering; Electrical resistivity; Heat resistant alloys; Nickel alloys; Microstructure; Electric resistance
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/1853/41130

Nickel-base superalloys obtain high temperature mechanical properties through formation of precipitate phases formed via heat treatment. The precipitate microstructure evolves with heat treatment or thermal exposure, which can lead to degrading mechanical properties. This project focuses on the use of electrical resistivity as a non-destructive testing method to monitor the precipitate phase in Waspaloy (a polycrystalline nickel-base superalloy). The evolution of the precipitate microstructure is characterized throughout the volume of the specimens using both small angle neutron scattering (SANS) and ultra small angle X-ray scattering (USAXS) measurements. These measurements are also aided by microscopy and X-ray diffraction measurements.