The study of the relationship between life limiting factor and stress level for FGH96

FGH96 is a Chinese made powder metallurgy nickel based superalloy. This reserach aims to investigate the effect of stress on the microstructure of the worst fatigue life at 600°C. The specimens were first polished by abrasive paper and then electropolished to elimate the effect of surface residual stress. The fatigue tests were conducted at 600°C, and the loading ratio was 0.05 at the frequency of 5Hz. Tests were conducted at 900, 1000, 1100, 1200MPa respectively. The fatigue life under the same condition were compared and the fractography of specimens were examined under SEM to further identify the life-limiting factors of the material. The initiation mode transferred from facet initiated to inclusion initiated from lower stress level to higher stress level. Meanwhile, the initiation position transferred from internal to surface with the increase of stress level. This means at higher stress level, fatigue life is mainly limited by inclusion at surface while at lower stress level the limit is controlled by internal facet.