Papers by Author: Loic Nazé

Abstract: According to various studies, Grain Boundary Engineering (GBE) is likely to enhance mechanical properties of polycrystalline materials. The present investigation highlights some relationships between thermomechanical process (TMP) parameters of a commercial nickel-base superalloy PER72, supplied by Aubert & Duval (equivalent to Udimet®720™) and the resulting microstructure. The long-term goal is to develop TMPs that modify the Grain Boundary Character Distributions (GBCD) in order to improve high temperature properties. In this context, Grain Boundary Engineering (GBE) techniques are considered, thinking of replacing standard forming processes by optimised thermomechanical treatments. Mechanical testing at high temperature (compression and torsion tests) has been carried out and it is shown that multi-step treatments promote twinning. Some clues are then presented in an attempt to explain when and how twins are created.

Abstract: The mechanical properties of nickel superalloys are related to the spatial distribution of hardening phases, their size and composition, and on the configurations of dislocations introduced by plastic and viscoplastic straining. Heterogeneous plastic flow in relation with dynamic strain aging is examined and synthesized. Dislocations are usually faced with the alternative of shearing or bypassing the ’ phase occupying up to 60 vol.%. Depending on ’ size, several Orowan bypassing mechanisms are observed, alternatively shearing by dislocation pairs or complex configurations involving S-ISF and S-ESF. Variables such as temperature, strain rate and Schmid factor play a decisive role in determining the dislocation configurations which either percolate through the matrix or shear the ’ structure. Various dislocation strategies and microstructures are analyzed and illustrated; they are reviewed critically and summarized in a strain rate versus 1/T mechanism map.