Role of Rhenium in Single Crystal Ni-Based Superalloys

The effect of rhenium on the microstructure and mechanical properties of single crystal superalloys with a nominal composition of Ni-3Cr-12Co-1Mo-6W-6Al-8Ta-0.1Hf-(0, 2, 4) Re has been studied. With the rise of rhenium content, the size of as-cast  particles becomes smaller. Rhenium addition elevates the incipient melting temperature and slows down the solid solution process. Even after 2000h prolonged aging both at 950°C and 1050°C, no topologically close-packed phase precipitation is found in the three alloys with Re content up to 4%. Re retards the  coarsening and is beneficial to improving the stress rupture life. The deformation mechanisms together with the dislocation configuration have been studied and discussed.