Characterization of fracture behavior of a nickel-based using Charpy instrumented in different conditions of heat treatment and evaluation temperatures

Abstract

Since gas turbine blades work in acute conditions, the study of their mechanical behavior, including impact, is one of the most important tasks recommended. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact behavior of IN738 superalloy welded by pulsed laser under different heat treatment conditions and different temperatures. The results of this study showed that the lowest fracture toughness was related to the specimens that were welded under casting conditions. This was due to the formation of liquation cracks during welding and due to the reaction between the (Ti,Ta)C carbide, γ-γ′ eutectic, and γ′ phase with the superalloy matrix. As the test temperature increased from ambient temperature to 600 °C, the impact toughness increased. This is attributed to the free presence of dislocations, which causes ductile behavior in the alloy. As the temperature increased further to 770 °C, the fracture toughness increased due to the increased strength of the superalloy yield due to locking of dislocations. At temperatures above 770 °C, the toughness of the superalloy was reduced again due to the decrease in strength due to the passage of dislocations through the obstacles.