A New Analysis of the Microstructure of Ni-Based Single-Crystal Superalloys: Relevant Topological Parameters for Efficient Microstructural Modeling

Abstract

Two topological parameters derived from pattern formation theory are introduced, and their potential to accurately describe the elasticity-induced coarsening in the microstructure modeling of Ni-based singlecrystal superalloys at macroscale in 2D is investigated. For that purpose, and given the primordial role of the spatial arrangement of the precipitates on microstructure evolution, two-dimensional phasefield calculations of ideal microstructures undergoing slight topological defects have been carried out. The unstable and stable responses of the system respectively against Eckhaus and zigzag instabilites is discussed and quantitatively described by means of the developed topological parameters ψ x and ψ y .