Precipitation characteristics of μ-phase in wrought nickel-base alloys and its effect on their properties

Thermal exposures consisting of 1-16000 h at 540, 650, 760, and 870°C were used to study the susceptibility of selected nickel-base alloys to precipitation of μ-phase and its effect on mechanical strength and corrosion resistance. Analytical electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction were used to characterize the μ-phase. A μ-phase of the type Mo₆Ni₇ in nickel-base alloys was found to be stabilized by critical concentrations of iron in an excess of about 3 wt%. Generally, the μ-phase had a characteristic defect structure consisting of twins and stacking faults, and it exhibited a preferential tendency for precipitation at existing molybdenum-rich carbide particles within the alloy matrix and at grain boundaries. Precipitation of μ-phase was found to produce a moderate loss of room-temperature tensile ductility; however, it resulted in a considerable degradation of impact toughness and corrosion resistance. In contrast, it had no significant effect on elevated temperature tensile properties. A correlation was found to exist between the Ni/Fe + Co ratio as well as the Mo + W content of the alloy and susceptibility to precipitation of μ-phase.