A statistical microstructures-based method for the prediction of mechanical properties in nickel-based single crystal alloys

The γ/γ’ microstructure is a key factor for the mechanical performance of nickel-based single crystal superalloys. Experimental results have shown that the size and shape of the γ’ precipitates are not uniform and follow certain probability distributions. In order to study the effect of the microstructure on the mechanical behavior of the superalloys, a method is proposed to reproduce its initial microstructure with the distribution function of its γ′ particle size. The effect of different microstructures on the creep behavior at different locations of a real blade is predicted to demonstrate the application of the method. It can be found from the simulation results that the mechanical behavior of the blade is related to not only the thickness of the blade wall but also the position in the blade.