Influence of σ Phase on the Allotropic Transformation of the Matrix in Co-Re-Cr-Based Alloys with Ni Addition

Co-Re-Cr alloys are being developed for high-temperature application in gas turbines. In these alloys, the Cr2Re3-based σ phase is stable when the Cr content is higher than 20 atomic %. The addition of Ni is being studied to partially substitute Cr, which aims to suppress σ formation without sacrificing the benefit of Cr in the oxidation resistance of the alloy. The microstructure of the alloys with varying Cr (18–23%) and Ni (8–25%) was investigated by electron microscopy in the present study, primarily to look into the stability of the σ phase and its influence on the Co matrix phase transformation. The σ phase is mainly found in two morphologies in these alloys, where at high temperature only blocky σ phase is present at grain boundaries but cellular σ is formed through a discontinuous precipitation within the grains at lower heat treatment temperatures. The presence of fine cellular σ phase influences the alloy hardness. Moreover, the σ precipitation, which depletes the matrix in Re, also influences the allotropic transformation of the Co matrix.

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