The widening of the solution heat treatment window by the addition of Ru in Ni-based single crystal superalloy

This work investigates the effect of Ru on the solution heat treatment window of the Ni-based single crystal superalloy. The addition of the Ru influences the solidification microstructure and widens the window. The solidification process is established to occur in the sequence of γ (dendrite) → γ + γ' grid eutectic (inter-dendrite) → γ + γ' lamella eutectic (inter-dendrite) → γ' (inter-dendrite). This is followed by the γ → γ + γ' decomposition of the γ dendrite into the common channel-cuboid structure upon cooling. The solvus of γ' and the solidus of the alloy define the window. In alloys containing inter-dendrite eutectic, the window is in principle zero. In this case, only the dynamic window created by homogenization diffusion may allow heat treatment. Adding Ru decreases the elements' partition ratios between the dendrite core and dendrite edge regions. It also promotes the enrichment of Re at the γ/γ' phase interfaces, which helps to refine the γ + γ' channel-cuboid structure and reduce the differences in both the size and volume fraction of the γ' phase between dendrite core and dendrite edge. Ru is found to inhibit the formation of (Ta, X)C carbide. These help widen the solution treatment temperature window of the Ni-based single crystal alloy.