Effect of secondary orientation on the tensile behavior of single-crystal superalloys with [001] primary orientation at 760 °C

This study assesses the impact of secondary orientations on the tensile deformation behavior of single-crystal superalloys at mid-temperature of 760 °C. Tensile tests and stress-strain analyses were performed on specimens with primary orientation [001] and secondary orientations [100], [410], and [110]. Stress distributions were modeled using Abaqus software, while fracture behavior, slip system activation, oxidation, lattice rotation, and micro-dislocation movements were investigated using optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Findings reveal that the [100] orientation, due to the activation of coplanar dual slip systems, underwent significant strain hardening, exhibiting the highest strength and lowest ductility due to restricted lattice rotation. In contrast, the [410] and [110] orientations, each with a single primary slip system, showed reduced strength. The [410] orientation demonstrated enhanced ductility due to extensive lattice rotation, whereas the [110] orientation displayed the lowest strength, primarily due to premature cracking aligned with slip lines on the surface oxide film. Dominant deformation microstructures involved isolated stacking faults (SFs) shearing into γ′ precipitates, with the formation of immobile dual Lomer-Cottrell (L-C) locks at intersecting slip planes significantly contributing to microstructural strengthening.