Effect of Heat Treatment on Microstructure and Residual Stress of a Nickel-Cobalt-Based Superalloy Produced by Laser Powder Bed Fusion

This study comprehensively evaluates a non-weldable nickel-cobalt-based superalloy fabricated using laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) technology. The investigation systematically examined the impact of heat treatment, specifically solution treatment and solution treatment followed by aging treatment, o...

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Main Authors: Chengjun Wang, Renren Zheng, Xiaolong Liu, Meijuan Li, Dongfeng Chen
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-04-01
Series:Metals
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4701/15/4/405
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author Chengjun Wang
Renren Zheng
Xiaolong Liu
Meijuan Li
Dongfeng Chen
author_facet Chengjun Wang
Renren Zheng
Xiaolong Liu
Meijuan Li
Dongfeng Chen
author_sort Chengjun Wang
collection DOAJ
description This study comprehensively evaluates a non-weldable nickel-cobalt-based superalloy fabricated using laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) technology. The investigation systematically examined the impact of heat treatment, specifically solution treatment and solution treatment followed by aging treatment, on the microstructural characteristics and the evolution of residual stress within the alloy. The findings indicated that the as-built Ni-Co-based superalloy predominantly consists of equiaxed crystals and epitaxial columnar crystals, with no formation of the γ′ phase observed. After the solution treatment, the alloy experienced equiaxed columnar crystallization, recrystallization, and grain refinement. Additionally, a significant quantity of γ′ phases within the alloy exhibited a specific arrangement and precipitation. Following the aging treatment, there was an observed increase in the average dimensions of both the γ′ phase and the grains within the alloy. The evolution of residual stress distribution perpendicular to the construction direction in the alloy, both before and following heat treatment, was assessed using the contour method. The results showed that heat treatment progressively diminished the residual stress levels within the alloy. Furthermore, this study discusses the interrelationship between residual stress and the microstructural evolutions of nickel-cobalt-based superalloys throughout the heat treatment process.
format Article
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spelling doaj-art-d1537412c05745f2b72fadad400baedf2025-08-20T02:18:09ZengMDPI AGMetals2075-47012025-04-0115440510.3390/met15040405Effect of Heat Treatment on Microstructure and Residual Stress of a Nickel-Cobalt-Based Superalloy Produced by Laser Powder Bed FusionChengjun Wang0Renren Zheng1Xiaolong Liu2Meijuan Li3Dongfeng Chen4Department of Nuclear Physics, China Institute of Atomic Energy, Beijing 102400, ChinaBeijing Key Laboratory of High-Temperature Alloy New Materials, Beijing Gaona Materials and Technology Co., Ltd., Central Iron and Steel Research Institute, Beijing 100081, ChinaDepartment of Nuclear Physics, China Institute of Atomic Energy, Beijing 102400, ChinaDepartment of Nuclear Physics, China Institute of Atomic Energy, Beijing 102400, ChinaDepartment of Nuclear Physics, China Institute of Atomic Energy, Beijing 102400, ChinaThis study comprehensively evaluates a non-weldable nickel-cobalt-based superalloy fabricated using laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) technology. The investigation systematically examined the impact of heat treatment, specifically solution treatment and solution treatment followed by aging treatment, on the microstructural characteristics and the evolution of residual stress within the alloy. The findings indicated that the as-built Ni-Co-based superalloy predominantly consists of equiaxed crystals and epitaxial columnar crystals, with no formation of the γ′ phase observed. After the solution treatment, the alloy experienced equiaxed columnar crystallization, recrystallization, and grain refinement. Additionally, a significant quantity of γ′ phases within the alloy exhibited a specific arrangement and precipitation. Following the aging treatment, there was an observed increase in the average dimensions of both the γ′ phase and the grains within the alloy. The evolution of residual stress distribution perpendicular to the construction direction in the alloy, both before and following heat treatment, was assessed using the contour method. The results showed that heat treatment progressively diminished the residual stress levels within the alloy. Furthermore, this study discusses the interrelationship between residual stress and the microstructural evolutions of nickel-cobalt-based superalloys throughout the heat treatment process.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4701/15/4/405additive manufactureNi-based superalloyheat treatmentresidual stressthe contour method
spellingShingle Chengjun Wang
Renren Zheng
Xiaolong Liu
Meijuan Li
Dongfeng Chen
Effect of Heat Treatment on Microstructure and Residual Stress of a Nickel-Cobalt-Based Superalloy Produced by Laser Powder Bed Fusion
Metals
additive manufacture
Ni-based superalloy
heat treatment
residual stress
the contour method
title Effect of Heat Treatment on Microstructure and Residual Stress of a Nickel-Cobalt-Based Superalloy Produced by Laser Powder Bed Fusion
title_full Effect of Heat Treatment on Microstructure and Residual Stress of a Nickel-Cobalt-Based Superalloy Produced by Laser Powder Bed Fusion
title_fullStr Effect of Heat Treatment on Microstructure and Residual Stress of a Nickel-Cobalt-Based Superalloy Produced by Laser Powder Bed Fusion
title_full_unstemmed Effect of Heat Treatment on Microstructure and Residual Stress of a Nickel-Cobalt-Based Superalloy Produced by Laser Powder Bed Fusion
title_short Effect of Heat Treatment on Microstructure and Residual Stress of a Nickel-Cobalt-Based Superalloy Produced by Laser Powder Bed Fusion
title_sort effect of heat treatment on microstructure and residual stress of a nickel cobalt based superalloy produced by laser powder bed fusion
topic additive manufacture
Ni-based superalloy
heat treatment
residual stress
the contour method
url https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4701/15/4/405
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AT renrenzheng effectofheattreatmentonmicrostructureandresidualstressofanickelcobaltbasedsuperalloyproducedbylaserpowderbedfusion
AT xiaolongliu effectofheattreatmentonmicrostructureandresidualstressofanickelcobaltbasedsuperalloyproducedbylaserpowderbedfusion
AT meijuanli effectofheattreatmentonmicrostructureandresidualstressofanickelcobaltbasedsuperalloyproducedbylaserpowderbedfusion
AT dongfengchen effectofheattreatmentonmicrostructureandresidualstressofanickelcobaltbasedsuperalloyproducedbylaserpowderbedfusion