Characterization of Precipitation Kinetics of Inconel 718 Superalloy by the Stress Relaxation Technique

Inconel 718 is a nickel-chromium-iron superalloy which presents excellent mechanical properties at high temperatures, as well as good corrosion resistance and weldability. These characteristics can be optimized with an appropriate control of microstructural features such as grain size and precipitation. Precipitates of different nature can form in these alloys, i.e. γ’’ (a metastable metallic compound Ni₃Nb), γ’ (Ni₃(Ti, Al), carbides and/or δ phase (intermetallic Ni₃Nb). Aging treatments are usually designed to obtain the precipitation required in order to optimize mechanical properties. However, precipitation can also appear induced by deformation and therefore interfere with hot forming operations, such as forging. Under these conditions, precipitation may lead to an increase of the loads required to carry out the process. The aim of the work was the characterization of precipitation kinetics for Inconel 718. With this purpose, stress relaxation tests were carried out at temperatures ranging from 950°C to 800°C. Moreover, different amounts of deformation were applied to the samples, prior to stress relaxation, to evaluate the effect of this variable on inducing precipitation. Some samples were quenched at different relaxation times for metallographic evaluation. The results obtained through mechanical testing, together with a proper characterization of precipitation by Scanning Electron Microscopy, were the basis for obtaining precipitation-time-temperature (PTT) diagrams after different deformation conditions.