Deformation mechanisms of low cycle fatigue of a fourth generation Ni-based single crystal superalloy

Ni-based single-crystal superalloys are extensively employed in turbine blades for aircraft and industrial gas engines. The blades are subjected to complex thermal and stress impacts during service, which may cause sudden low-cycle fatigue damage and subsequent flight accidents. To investigate the relationship between the microstructure and mechanical properties, fatigue-damaged microstructures are compared under cyclic deformation at 800 and 900 °C using combined electron microscope characterizations. With an increase in temperature, the deformation is more concentrated in the γ matrix channels and the cyclic deformation behaviors stabilizes, whereas cutting the γ′ phase becomes difficult with decreasing slip bands. In addition, the significance of interfacial dislocation networks in enhancing cyclic stability and hindering cyclic tension–compression asymmetry is discussed.