Interdiffusion and Microstructure Simulation in Ni and Co Based Overlay Coatings on a Ni Based Superalloy at High Temperatures

In turbine engines, Ni or Co based alloys are used at high temperature, either as base materials, superalloys, or deposited on the surface of superalloys, as coatings. In the present study, two different MCrAlY overlay coatings, Ni and Co based, on a Ni based superalloy IN792 were aged for different times in air at three temperatures, 900°C, 1000°C and 1100°C. The aging processes were simulated by using DICTRA software by focusing on the interdiffusion behavior in the superalloy-coating systems. The results of simulation captured the main microstructural features observed and were used to analyze the diffusion behavior of alloying elements and the corresponding microstructure development. It was found that coating composition and temperature affected significantly the microstructure near the superalloy-coating interface, and their relations were mapped as a summary.