Evolution of solidification microstructure and dynamic recrystallisation of Inconel 625 during laser solid forming process

This study investigated the evolution of solidification microstructure and dynamic recrystallisation (DRX) during the laser solid forming of the Ni-based Inconel 625 superalloy. The as-deposited microstructure mainly showed epitaxially grown columnar grains with fine equiaxed grains between them. These fine equiaxed grains were formed by the discontinuous DRX (DDRX) and continuous DRX (CDRX) processes, which were induced by the cyclic thermal stress resulting from the repeated laser deposition. The bulging of pre-existing grains and sub-grain rotation were the main mechanisms of the DDRX and CDRX phenomena, respectively. Additionally, after the occurrence of DRX, the dislocations were released and there was no distortion in the recrystallised grains. Coarse equiaxed grains were present in the top zone of the deposit; these grains were formed by the columnar-to-equiaxed transition during the solidification of the molten pool after the end of the laser re-melting and deposition process.