In Situ SEM Investigation of Tensile Fracture Process of Fe-25Cr-35Ni Based Superalloy

Initiation and propagation of micro cracks in the Fe-25Cr-35Ni based superalloy were observed and investigated through in situ tensile test in SEM using a single-edge notched specimen. The results show that the micro crack sources may easily occur with one of those, the second phase particles and matrix interface, and the stress concentration region. The micro-cracks which propagated at first for those that are perpendicular to the tensile load would be growing up and connected mutual with the increase of external stress until forming the main crack. While the length of the mail crack enlarged enough in the specimen, it become instable for the main cracks and the fracture occurred rapidly.