Prior particle boundaries in hot isostatically pressed nickel-based superalloy,studied by Auger electron spectroscopy

Abstract

Auger electron analyses have produced evidence that, during argon atomization and subsequent processing, a thin oxide film can form on the surfaces of powder particles of a nickel-based superalloy. This occurs in spite of the use of an entirely closed inert gas system. During heat treatment of powder before hot isostatic pressing, the oxide acts as a nucleant for the precipitation of TiC platelets on the particle surfaces. This combined oxide–earbide morphology is retained at the prior particle boundary in the as-hot isostatically pressed material.