Effects of yttrium on the microstructures and interfaces in a low expansion superalloy

The forms and structures of the phases in Fe-Ni-Co-Nb-Ti-Si low expansion superal-loys have been studied using analytical electron microscopy, high resolution electron microscopy, chemical phase analysis, X-ray diffraction, etc. The effects of yttrium on the microstructures and properties in the superalloys have also been investigated. The results reveal that trace yttrium mainly located in the platelet precipitates makes the crystal structure changed. The platelet precipitates become smaller, denser and rather homogeneous with appropriate yttrium addition. Compared with the conventional low expansion superalloy, the misfit of the platelet phase with the matrix in the yttrium-containing low expansion superalloy decreases from 0.7% to 0.07%, which indicates very low stress at the interface.