Superplastic behaviour of as received superplastic forming grade IN718 superalloy

Abstract

Tensile specimens of superplastic forming grade IN718 superalloy, containing banded microstructure in the as received state, were deformed at high temperatures T to investigate the stress σ versus strain rate ɛ · behaviour, the nature of the stress versus strain ɛ curves, ductility, and microstructure upon failure. The log σ–log ɛ · plot for the ɛ · range ∼5 × 10^-6–3 × 10^-2 s^-1 at T = 1173–1248 K exhibited a strain rate sensitivity index m = 0·62 at low strain rates and m = 0·26 at high strain rates, representing region II and III behaviour, respectively. The activation energies were estimated to be 308 and 353 kJ mol^-1, respectively. All the σ–ɛ curves, obtained at ɛ · = 1 × 10^-4 s^-1 for the temperature range 1173–1273 K, and at T = 1198 K for the strain rate range 1 × 10^-4–1 × 10^-2 s^-1, exhibited initial flow hardening, followed by flow softening. The microstructures revealed dynamic recrystallisation, grain growth, cavitation, and a variation in the amount of second phase particles. Grain growth and cavitation were found to increase with temperature in region II. Excessive grain growth at 1273 K led to the elimination of region II. Grain growth and cavitation were both found to be less pronounced as the strain rate increased in region III.